CVE-2023-48711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Vulnerability has been discovered in the npm package

google-translate-api-browser

. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to manipulate URLs and access internal network resources.

Understanding CVE-2023-48711

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2023-48711.

What is CVE-2023-48711?

The

google-translate-api-browser

npm package, widely used for interfacing with the Google Translate API, is vulnerable to SSRF attacks. Attackers can abuse the

translateOptions

parameter to craft malicious URLs pointing to local resources.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48711

Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to send requests within internal networks and the local host. If there are any vulnerable HTTPS applications in the internal network, attackers can exploit them using this SSRF flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48711

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-48711.

Vulnerability Description

The SSRF vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of user-controlled input in the

translateOptions.tld

field. This allows attackers to set a malicious

tld

parameter, leading to unsafe URLs.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the

google-translate-api-browser

package prior to version 4.1.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the

tld

parameter with a payload like

@127.0.0.1

, attackers can forge URLs pointing to internal resources, potentially exploiting vulnerable internal network applications.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-48711.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to update to version 4.1.3 of the

google-translate-api-browser

package to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation and sanitation mechanisms in applications to prevent SSRF vulnerabilities and regularly monitor for security updates.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security releases and promptly apply patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.