CVE-2023-47259 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information on CVE-2023-47259, a security vulnerability found in Redmine before 4.2.11 and 5.0.x before 5.0.6 that allows XSS in the Textile formatter.

Understanding CVE-2023-47259

In this section, we will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-47259.

What is CVE-2023-47259?

CVE-2023-47259 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability present in Redmine versions before 4.2.11 and 5.0.x before 5.0.6. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of an unsuspecting user's session.

The Impact of CVE-2023-47259

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to potentially steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions, or manipulate the content displayed to users, leading to a breach of confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-47259

Let's explore the technical details associated with CVE-2023-47259.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Textile formatter of Redmine, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

Redmine versions before 4.2.11 and 5.0.x before 5.0.6 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations using these versions are at risk unless mitigations are applied.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input containing scripts that, when processed by the Textile formatter, are executed in the context of the user's session, making it possible to perform various malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2023-47259, the following mitigation strategies are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Redmine to version 4.2.11 or 5.0.6, where the vulnerability has been patched.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest secure versions to avoid known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to detect and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by Redmine to address vulnerabilities and apply them promptly to prevent exploitation.