CVE-2023-5552 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was assigned by Sophos on October 12, 2023, and it was published on October 17, 2023. The vulnerability affects Sophos Firewall, specifically version 19.5 MR3 (19.5.3) and older, in relation to a password disclosure vulnerability in the Secure PDF eXchange (SPX) feature. Attackers with full email access can decrypt PDFs if the password type is set to "Specified by sender."

Understanding CVE-2023-5552

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5552, including what the vulnerability is and its impact.

What is CVE-2023-5552?

CVE-2023-5552 is a password disclosure vulnerability in Sophos Firewall's Secure PDF eXchange (SPX) feature. It enables attackers with full email access to decrypt PDFs in specific versions of Sophos Firewall.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5552

The impact of CVE-2023-5552 is classified as "HIGH" severity. It can lead to the exposure of sensitive information due to the decryption of PDFs by unauthorized actors with the specified credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5552

This section will provide more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Sophos Firewall version 19.5 MR3 (19.5.3) and older allows attackers to disclose passwords in the SPX feature, leading to PDF decryption with "Specified by sender" password type.

Affected Systems and Versions

Sophos Firewall versions 19.5 MR3 (19.5.3) and older are affected by this vulnerability, specifically when using the SPX feature with the mentioned password type configuration.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation revolves around attackers with full email access utilizing the password disclosure vulnerability in Sophos Firewall's SPX feature to decrypt PDFs with the specified password type.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5552 and prevent potential exploitation, certain steps can be taken by affected users.

Immediate Steps to Take

Sophos Firewall users should consider updating to the latest unaffected versions (e.g., 19.5.4 and 20.0.0) to mitigate the risks associated with the password disclosure vulnerability in the SPX feature.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict email access controls, monitoring for unauthorized activities, and regularly updating security policies can contribute to long-term security enhancement in combating such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring vendor advisories for security patches and promptly applying updates to the affected systems is crucial in maintaining a secure environment and preventing potential exploits related to CVE-2023-5552.