CVE-2023-5720 : What You Need to Know

This CVE details a vulnerability found in Quarkus related to an information disclosure issue via the Gradle plugin build environment.

Understanding CVE-2023-5720

This vulnerability in Quarkus arises from improper sanitization of artifacts created using the Gradle plugin, which allows certain build system information to persist. This flaw enables attackers to potentially access sensitive information from the build system embedded within the application.

What is CVE-2023-5720?

The CVE-2023-5720 vulnerability revolves around Quarkus not adequately cleansing artifacts generated by the Gradle plugin, leading to the exposure of build system information within the application. This exposure can grant threat actors access to potentially sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5720

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high severity by Red Hat, with a CVSS base score of 7.7. The confidentiality impact is deemed high, while integrity impact and availability impact are considered none. This vulnerability could be exploited remotely without user interaction but with low privileges required, affecting system confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5720

This vulnerability has a base CVSS score of 7.7, indicating a high severity level due to the potential for information disclosure via the Gradle plugin in Quarkus.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows attackers to access sensitive information from the build system within the Quarkus application, posing a significant risk to system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts systems using the Gradle plugin within Quarkus. The vendor affected by this issue is unspecified, but the default status is marked as "affected."

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the lack of proper sanitization of artifacts created using the Gradle plugin in Quarkus, enabling them to access sensitive build system data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-5720 requires immediate action and long-term security practices to safeguard systems from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Deploying relevant patches and updates provided by the software vendor is crucial to mitigate the vulnerability's impact. Additionally, organizations should monitor and restrict access to sensitive information within the build system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security assessments and code reviews, can help identify and address similar vulnerabilities in the future. Employee training on secure coding practices is also essential to prevent information disclosure issues.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Quarkus and Gradle to ensure that the latest patches addressing CVE-2023-5720 are promptly applied to affected systems. Regularly updating software components can help protect against known vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.