CVE-2023-48301 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Understanding CVE-2023-48301

This CVE involves an HTML injection vulnerability in Nextcloud Server that allows malicious actors to execute cross-site scripting attacks through a circle's display name in the search user interface.

What is CVE-2023-48301?

Nextcloud Server, which facilitates data storage for the Nextcloud open-source cloud platform, is impacted by this vulnerability. Attackers can embed links in a circle's name, leading to potential security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48301

The vulnerability affects Nextcloud Server versions prior to 25.0.13, 26.0.8, and 27.1.3, potentially exposing users to cross-site scripting attacks. The issue has been mitigated in the later versions of the software.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48301

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including the affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and more details.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to insert links into circle names within the Nextcloud search filter, leading to potential cross-site scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nextcloud Server versions between 25.0.0 and the versions prior to 25.0.13, 26.0.8, and 27.1.3 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By inserting HTML code into the display name of a circle, attackers can manipulate the search user interface, potentially tricking users into executing malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-48301 and enhance security, users and administrators can take specific actions to protect their systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Nextcloud Server to versions 25.0.13, 26.0.8, or 27.1.3 to apply the necessary patches and fixes.
Disable the app circles as a temporary workaround to prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Nextcloud Server and all associated plugins to the latest versions to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Nextcloud and promptly apply patches and updates to secure the server environment and prevent exploitation.