CVE-2023-43801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Arduino Create Agent is a package designed to aid in managing Arduino development. This CVE highlights a path traversal vulnerability affecting the endpoint

/v2/pkgs/tools/installed

within the application. An attacker with the capability to make HTTP requests to the localhost interface or evade CORS settings could execute malicious actions on the system by crafting HTTP DELETE requests. This vulnerability has been identified and rectified in version

1.3.3

of the Arduino Create Agent. Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version to mitigate the risk.

Understanding CVE-2023-43801

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-43801 and explores its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-43801?

The vulnerability, associated with CWE-22, represents improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (Path Traversal) in the Arduino Create Agent's endpoint handling mechanism.

The Impact of CVE-2023-43801

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a base score of 6.1 in CVSS v3.1. It can lead to high integrity impact, allowing attackers to delete arbitrary files or folders controlled by the user running the Arduino Create Agent.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-43801

This section provides a deeper insight into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation method.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from how the Arduino Create Agent processes user-supplied plugin names in the

/v2/pkgs/tools/installed

endpoint, enabling unauthorized file or folder deletions through crafted HTTP requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Arduino Create Agent prior to

1.3.3

, exposing systems to potential malicious activities.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating HTTP requests to the localhost or circumventing Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) restrictions, threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to delete critical files and directories.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we outline steps to address the CVE-2023-43801 risk and enhance overall security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Arduino Create Agent to version

1.3.3

or later to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance security posture.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and promptly apply updates to mitigate emerging vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by the vendor and ensure timely application to safeguard against potential exploits.