CVE-2023-47741 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in IBM i web browser clients versions 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and IBM i Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4 and 7.5. This vulnerability may allow malicious actors to view clear-text passwords stored in browser memory, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the IBM i operating system.

Understanding CVE-2023-47741

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2023-47741 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-47741?

The vulnerability in IBM i web browser clients and Db2 Mirror for i may expose clear-text passwords in browser memory, posing a security risk where unauthorized access to the operating system can be gained.

The Impact of CVE-2023-47741

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows threat actors with access to the victim's PC to exploit the clear-text passwords stored in browser memory, potentially compromising the IBM i operating system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-47741

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2023-47741 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

IBM i web browser clients and Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4 and 7.5 may leave clear-text passwords in browser memory accessible to malicious actors, increasing the risk of unauthorized system access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted systems include IBM i web browser clients versions 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and IBM i Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4 and 7.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with access to the victim's PC can utilize common browser tools to view the clear-text passwords stored in browser memory, exploiting this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the IBM i operating system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for organizations to take immediate steps to address and prevent potential exploitation of CVE-2023-47741.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security updates and patches provided by IBM to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to the operating system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure password management practices and educating users on password security can reduce the risk of unauthorized access through browser memory vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating the affected systems to the latest versions and security patches is essential to safeguard against potential attacks exploiting this vulnerability.