CVE-2023-4956 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Red Hat, was published on November 7, 2023, and affects the Quay container registry. The vulnerability involves clickjacking on the config-editor page, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate a Quay instance by tricking an administrator into clicking on buttons on the config-editor panel.

Understanding CVE-2023-4956

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-4956 to understand the implications and impact of this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-4956?

CVE-2023-4956 is a flaw in the Quay container registry that exposes a clickjacking vulnerability on the config-editor page. Clickjacking occurs when an attacker deceives a user into interacting with a certain element on a web page, exploiting the user's permissions unintentionally.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4956

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential manipulation of a Quay instance by an attacker exploiting the clickjacking vulnerability on the config-editor page. This could lead to unauthorized reconfiguration of parts of the Quay container registry by tricking an administrator into unknowingly executing actions on the platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4956

Exploring the technical aspects of CVE-2023-4956 aids in understanding the vulnerability, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Quay allows for clickjacking on the config-editor page, which enables an attacker to deceive an administrator user into interacting with buttons on the panel, potentially resulting in unauthorized reconfiguration of the Quay instance.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Red Hat Quay 3 container registry, making it susceptible to the clickjacking vulnerability present on the config-editor page.

Exploitation Mechanism

For the exploitation of CVE-2023-4956, an attacker would use multiple transparent or opaque layers to trick an administrator into clicking on buttons on the vulnerable config-editor page, manipulating the Quay container registry without authorization.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-4956 is crucial to safeguarding systems and preventing unauthorized access or manipulation.

Immediate Steps to Take

One immediate step to mitigate the vulnerability is to configure the web server to include the X-Frame-Options: Deny header. This header helps prevent clickjacking attacks by denying the rendering of a page in a frame or iframe.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities can contribute to the long-term security of container registries and other systems.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that systems are promptly patched with the latest security updates and monitoring for vendor patches related to CVE-2023-4956 are essential steps in fortifying the security posture of the organization against potential threats.