CVE-2023-4606 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-4606 was published by Lenovo on October 24, 2023. It involves a vulnerability in Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) that allows an authenticated XCC user with Read-Only permission to change a different user's password through a crafted API command. This vulnerability affects ThinkSystem v2 and v3 servers with XCC, while ThinkSystem v1 servers are not impacted.

Understanding CVE-2023-4606

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-4606, shedding light on the nature of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-4606?

The vulnerability allows an authenticated XCC user with limited permissions to alter another user's password using a specifically designed API command. This exploitation can lead to unauthorized access and compromise of sensitive information on affected servers.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4606

With a CVSSv3.1 base score of 8.1, this high-severity vulnerability poses a significant threat. It has a high impact on availability and integrity, indicating the potential for severe consequences if exploited. Although it does not directly impact confidentiality, the unauthorized password changes can result in unauthorized access and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4606

This section provides a more technical insight into the vulnerability, including the description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper authorization controls, specifically the ability of a Read-Only XCC user to manipulate user passwords through crafted API commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

ThinkSystem v2 and v3 servers with XCC are susceptible to this vulnerability. However, ThinkSystem v1 servers do not exhibit this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated XCC user with limited Read-Only permissions can exploit this vulnerability by submitting a malicious API command to change another user's password, bypassing the necessary authorization checks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-4606, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected systems and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to the latest product version or newer as outlined in Lenovo's advisory to mitigate the vulnerability effectively. Additionally, monitoring user permissions and access controls can help prevent unauthorized password changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a robust authentication and authorization framework, conducting regular security assessments, and staying updated on security patches are crucial for long-term security resilience.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for software updates and security advisories from Lenovo, as well as promptly applying patches, is essential to safeguard against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4606.