CVE-2023-6001 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published by Yugabyte on November 7, 2023. It addresses the issue of Prometheus metrics being accessible without authentication in YugabyteDB Anywhere, potentially exposing sensitive information within the environment.

Understanding CVE-2023-6001

This section provides an overview of what CVE-2023-6001 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6001?

CVE-2023-6001 refers to the vulnerability where Prometheus metrics are accessible without requiring authentication in the YugabyteDB Anywhere system. This can lead to the exposure of detailed and sensitive information about the environment.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6001

The impact of this vulnerability, as classified by CAPEC-115 (Authentication Bypass), poses a medium severity risk. Unauthorized actors may exploit this vulnerability to gain access to confidential information without the need for privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6001

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized actors to access Prometheus metrics without authentication, exposing detailed and sensitive information about the YugabyteDB Anywhere environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is YugabyteDB Anywhere by YugabyteDB. Versions up to and including 2.18.3.0 are vulnerable, while versions 2.18.4.0 and 2.20.0.0 are not affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by accessing Prometheus metrics without the need for authentication, potentially enabling attackers to gather sensitive information about the environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-6001, certain steps can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement authentication mechanisms for accessing Prometheus metrics.
Regularly monitor access logs for any unusual or unauthorized activity.
Consider restricting access to sensitive information to only authorized personnel.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of the system.
Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of critical systems.
Provide ongoing security training for personnel to enhance awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems are updated to the latest version of YugabyteDB Anywhere (2.20.0.0 or higher) to mitigate the vulnerability. Stay informed about security patches and updates provided by the vendor to address potential security concerns.