CVE-2023-5056 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record, assigned by Red Hat, pertains to a privilege escalation vulnerability via a config map, affecting the Skupper operator.

Understanding CVE-2023-5056

This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker in the adjacent cluster to view deployments in all namespaces in the cluster, potentially exposing unauthorized information.

What is CVE-2023-5056?

CVE-2023-5056 is a flaw found in the Skupper operator that enables the creation of a service account, granting unauthorized access to view deployments across namespaces in the cluster.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5056

The impact of this vulnerability includes unauthorized viewing of information outside the attacker's authorized scope, leading to potential data exposure and misuse.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5056

This vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 6.8. The attack complexity is low with an adjacent network attack vector. The confidentiality impact is high, and privileges required are low.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Skupper operator could allow an authenticated attacker to view deployments in all namespaces within the cluster, leading to unauthorized access and potential data exposure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Skupper Operator
Vendor: Red Hat
Affected Versions:
Service Interconnect 1 for RHEL 9
Versions 1.4.3-5, 1.4.3-6, 2.4.3-3, 1.4.3-4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the privilege escalation vulnerability in the Skupper operator to create a service account, gaining unauthorized access to view deployments across namespaces within the cluster.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-5056 requires immediate action to prevent potential unauthorized access and data exposure.

Immediate Steps to Take

Red Hat users are advised to review and apply the patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Limit access and restrict permissions to reduce the risk of privilege escalation attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update security configurations.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Refer to Red Hat Security Advisory RHSA-2023:6219 for specific patch details.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Red Hat to address known vulnerabilities and protect your systems.