CVE-2023-46321 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the details of CVE-2023-46321, a security vulnerability in iTerm2 before 3.5.0beta12 allowing command injection attacks. Learn about impacts, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
A security vulnerability has been identified in iTerm2 before version 3.5.0beta12 that could potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the system. Below is a detailed overview of CVE-2023-46321.
Understanding CVE-2023-46321
This section provides an insight into the nature and impact of the vulnerability.
What is CVE-2023-46321?
The vulnerability exists in iTermSessionLauncher.m in iTerm2 before 3.5.0beta12, where it fails to sanitize paths in x-man-page URLs. This oversight may allow the inclusion of shell metacharacters, leading to command injection attacks.
The Impact of CVE-2023-46321
If exploited, this vulnerability could enable malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands within the context of a privileged process, potentially resulting in unauthorized access, data theft, and system compromise.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-46321
This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from the lack of proper sanitization of paths in x-man-page URLs, allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands within the system environment.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of iTerm2 before 3.5.0beta12 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
By crafting a malicious x-man-page URL with specially crafted shell metacharacters, an attacker could manipulate the command execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to the system.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section discusses the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update iTerm2 to version 3.5.0beta12 or later to address this vulnerability. Additionally, exercise caution when accessing URLs with x-man-page protocols.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement secure coding practices, input validation mechanisms, and regularly update software and security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates from iTerm2 and promptly apply patches to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.