CVE-2023-5626 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-5626, a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability found in the pkp/ojs GitHub repository prior to version 3.3.0-16.

Understanding CVE-2023-5626

This section delves into what CVE-2023-5626 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5626?

CVE-2023-5626 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability discovered in the pkp/ojs GitHub repository before version 3.3.0-16. This type of vulnerability allows an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of an authenticated user.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5626

The impact of CVE-2023-5626 is rated as LOW with a base score of 3.5. The vulnerability has a low attack complexity and requires user interaction. It can lead to integrity issues on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5626

This section outlines the specific technical details related to CVE-2023-5626.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the pkp/ojs GitHub repository before version 3.3.0-16, allowing attackers to conduct CSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the "pkp/ojs" product with versions prior to 3.3.0-16. Systems using custom versions are also susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The CSRF vulnerability can be exploited by tricking a logged-in user into unknowingly executing malicious actions via a crafted request.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the measures that can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-5626.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the pkp/ojs GitHub repository to version 3.3.0-16 or later to address the CSRF vulnerability.
Users should be cautious while clicking on unknown links or visiting untrusted websites to prevent CSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement CSRF tokens in web applications to validate user actions.
Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the pkp/ojs project and promptly apply patches to ensure the security of your systems.