CVE-2023-46649 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2023-46649, a critical race condition vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server allowing administrative access to repositories. Find out impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
A critical vulnerability named CVE-2023-46649 has been identified in GitHub Enterprise Server, allowing an attacker to gain administrative access to organization repositories.
Understanding CVE-2023-46649
CVE-2023-46649 is a race condition vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server that enables an attacker to achieve administrative access.
What is CVE-2023-46649?
A race condition in GitHub Enterprise Server was identified that could allow an attacker administrator access. To exploit this, an organization needs to be converted from a user. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server since 3.7 and was fixed in version 3.7.19, 3.8.12, 3.9.7, 3.10.4, and 3.11.1.
The Impact of CVE-2023-46649
The vulnerability has a CVSSv3 base score of 6.3, classifying it as medium severity. It has a high impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity of the affected systems. The attacker needs high privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-46649
The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use Race Condition) and CAPEC-29 (Leveraging Time-of-Check and Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Conditions).
Vulnerability Description
The race condition vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server allows an attacker to gain administrative access.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of GitHub Enterprise Server since 3.7 up to versions 3.7.18, 3.8.11, 3.9.6, 3.10.3, and 3.11.0 are affected.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited when an organization is converted from a user, granting unauthorized administrative access.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate steps to address the CVE-2023-46649 vulnerability and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar incidents.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update GitHub Enterprise Server to the patched versions 3.7.19, 3.8.12, 3.9.7, 3.10.4, or 3.11.1.
- Monitor administrative access and permissions within the organization.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities proactively.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for GitHub Enterprise Server updates and apply them to ensure that the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.