CVE-2023-42439 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

GeoNode is an open source platform that facilitates the creation, sharing, and collaborative use of geospatial data. A Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-42439, has been discovered in GeoNode versions 3.2.0 to 4.1.2. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass existing controls and request internal services, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive data from the internal network.

Understanding CVE-2023-42439

GeoNode SSRF Bypass to return internal host data

What is CVE-2023-42439?

CVE-2023-42439 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in GeoNode versions 3.2.0 to 4.1.2. It allows an attacker to trick the application into bypassing whitelists and accessing internal services, leading to potential data exposure.

The Impact of CVE-2023-42439

The vulnerability poses a high risk with a base severity score of 7.5 (High) according to the CVSS v3.1 metrics. It has a high impact on confidentiality but does not directly impact availability or integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-42439

Vulnerability Description

The SSRF vulnerability in GeoNode allows attackers to send malicious requests to internal services, bypassing existing controls and accessing sensitive information from the internal network.

Affected Systems and Versions

GeoNode versions 3.2.0 to 4.1.2 are affected by this vulnerability. Any system running these versions is at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating requests to the application, tricking it into accessing internal services and returning data to unauthorized hosts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators of GeoNode are advised to upgrade to version 4.1.3.post1 or later, as it contains the necessary patch to mitigate the SSRF vulnerability and prevent unauthorized data access.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to regularly update the GeoNode software to the latest versions and follow security best practices such as implementing proper input validation and whitelisting to prevent SSRF attacks.

Patching and Updates

To address CVE-2023-42439, GeoNode has released version 4.1.3.post1, which includes the patch to fix the SSRF vulnerability and enhance the security of the platform.