CVE-2023-4843 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4843 affects Pega Platform versions 7.1 to 8.8.3 due to an HTML Injection issue in the name field used in Visual Business Director. However, the vulnerability can only be exploited by authenticated administrative users.

Understanding CVE-2023-4843

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-4843, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-4843?

CVE-2023-4843 is an HTML Injection vulnerability present in Pega Platform versions 7.1 to 8.8.3. The issue arises from the name field utilized in Visual Business Director, where authenticated administrative users can manipulate the field.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4843

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized as CAPEC-137 Parameter Injection. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3, with low impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. However, it requires high privileges for exploitation and user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4843

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2023-4843 is classified as CWE-74 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'). The HTML Injection issue in the name field can be exploited by authenticated administrative users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pega Platform versions 7.1 to 8.8.3 are impacted by this vulnerability, with version 7.1 being a custom version susceptible to the HTML Injection issue in Visual Business Director.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows authenticated administrative users to inject malicious HTML code into the name field within Visual Business Director, potentially leading to unauthorized actions within the platform.

Mitigation and Prevention

In mitigating CVE-2023-4843, immediate actions, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates should be considered.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators should ensure strict access controls, monitor user activities, and apply security updates provided by Pegasystems to address the HTML Injection issue promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing regular security audits, conducting training on secure coding practices, and maintaining up-to-date security protocols can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay informed about security advisories from Pegasystems and promptly apply patches or updates to mitigate known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4843. Regularly updating the Pega Platform to the latest version can enhance its security posture and protect against potential threats.