CVE-2023-4980 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-4980, a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the GitHub repository librenms/librenms before version 23.9.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-4980

This section delves into what CVE-2023-4980 entails, including its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-4980?

CVE-2023-4980 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability discovered in the librenms/librenms GitHub repository prior to version 23.9.0. This vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to data theft or manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4980

The impact of CVE-2023-4980 is significant, with a base severity score of 8.8 (High) according to the CVSS v3.0 metrics. This vulnerability could result in high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4980

This section provides a deeper look into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-4980, including its vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2023-4980 involves a lack of proper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically related to Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks (CWE-79). This allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a legitimate website.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the vendor "librenms" and product "librenms/librenms" versions prior to 23.9.0. Systems that have not been updated to version 23.9.0 are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-4980 involves injecting malicious scripts into vulnerable web pages. Attackers can craft URLs or input fields to execute scripts when unsuspecting users interact with the compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-4980 and enhance security posture, organizations and users should implement immediate steps, follow long-term security practices, and prioritize patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately updating the librenms/librenms repository to version 23.9.0 or later can mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-4980. Web administrators should also sanitize user input and implement content security policies to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and educating users about safe browsing habits can help prevent XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4980 in the long term.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security advisories, promptly applying patches released by the vendor, and staying informed about the latest security trends are crucial for maintaining a secure and resilient IT environment against XSS vulnerabilities.