CVE-2023-43791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Label Studio has hardcoded Django

SECRET_KEY

that can be abused to forge session tokens.

Understanding CVE-2023-43791

Label Studio is a multi-type data labeling and annotation tool with a standardized output format. The vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges from low privilege users to Django Super Administrator users.

What is CVE-2023-43791?

CVE-2023-43791 highlights a hardcoded Django

SECRET_KEY

in Label Studio that can be exploited to forge session tokens.

The Impact of CVE-2023-43791

The vulnerability in versions prior to

1.8.2

can be abused by attackers to impersonate any account on Label Studio, leading to privilege escalation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-43791

The vulnerability is scored with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical) and affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.

Vulnerability Description

The existence of a hardcoded Django

SECRET_KEY

in Label Studio allows malicious actors to forge session tokens and escalate privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: HumanSignal Product: Label Studio Affected Versions: <= 1.8.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited to impersonate any account on Label Studio, enabling attackers to elevate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-43791 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Label Studio to version 1.8.2 or above to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, review session management and access controls.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about security updates and patches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by developers to ensure the ongoing security of Label Studio.