CVE-2023-4456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-4456 is related to the Lokistack authorization being cached too broadly, posing a security concern.

Understanding CVE-2023-4456

This vulnerability was reported, assigned, and published by Red Hat on August 21, 2023. It has a moderate severity rating and affects systems running Lokistack components.

What is CVE-2023-4456?

CVE-2023-4456 is a flaw found in openshift-logging LokiStack. The caching mechanism uses a broad key, allowing a user with a valid token for one action to execute other actions as long as the authorization for the original action is cached.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4456

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and exploitation of system resources. An attacker could potentially perform actions beyond their authorized permissions, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4456

The vulnerability is rated as having a medium severity level based on the CVSS v3.1 scoring system. The attack complexity is low and user interaction is required for exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the overbroad caching of authorization tokens in Lokistack, allowing for potential unauthorized actions by exploiting cached authorizations.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Lokistack-gateway containers within the Red Hat OpenShift Logging (RHOL) versions 5.5, 5.6, and 5.7 for RHEL 8 are susceptible to this vulnerability. Specific affected versions and details can be found on the Red Hat Catalog.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-4456 requires a valid token for one action within Lokistack, which can then be leveraged to perform unauthorized actions due to the overly broad caching mechanism of authorization tokens.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for organizations to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-4456 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply the provided patches and updates from Red Hat to address this vulnerability promptly.
Monitor and review access control policies and configurations to ensure proper authorization granularity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update access control mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate potential authorization issues within the system.

Patching and Updates

Red Hat has released security advisories (RHSA-2023:4933, RHSA-2023:5095, RHSA-2023:5096) containing patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should apply these patches as soon as possible to enhance the security of their systems.