CVE-2023-4616 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-4616 vulnerability was published on September 4, 2023, by LGE (LG Electronics) affecting the LG-LED Assistant version 2.1.45. It allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information without requiring authentication.

Understanding CVE-2023-4616

This vulnerability in LG LED Assistant exposes a flaw in the /api/thumbnail endpoint, enabling attackers to access and disclose sensitive information on affected installations.

What is CVE-2023-4616?

The CVE-2023-4616 vulnerability in LG-LED Assistant allows remote attackers to exploit a directory path traversal flaw to access sensitive information without authentication. The issue lies in the lack of proper validation of user-supplied paths before file operations, enabling disclosure of data in the context of the current user.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4616

The impact of CVE-2023-4616 is rated as HIGH severity with a CVSS base score of 7.5. Attackers can bypass validation logic using slashes and URL encoding to exploit the vulnerability, potentially leading to the compromise of confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4616

This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). The vulnerability has a LOW attack complexity and NETWORK attack vector.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files on affected LG-LED Assistant installations through the /api/thumbnail endpoint by exploiting a directory path traversal flaw.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-4616 impacts LG-LED Assistant version 2.1.45, allowing attackers to disclose sensitive information in the context of the current user without requiring authentication.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of proper validation of user-supplied paths in file operations, enabling them to traverse directories and access sensitive information on the affected LG-LED Assistant installations.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-4616, immediate steps should be taken along with the implementation of long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the LG-LED Assistant to a patched version provided by LG Electronics to address the directory path traversal vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and monitoring for any suspicious activities can contribute to enhancing the overall security posture and preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

LG Electronics has released an advisory detailing the necessary updates and patches to address CVE-2023-4616. Users are advised to apply the recommended security updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.