CVE-2023-6038 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves the H2O Local File Include vulnerability that allows an attacker to read any file on the server hosting the H2O dashboard without requiring any authentication. It was published on November 16, 2023, by @huntr_ai.

Understanding CVE-2023-6038

This section will delve into the details surrounding CVE-2023-6038, including its nature and implications.

What is CVE-2023-6038?

CVE-2023-6038 refers to the H2O Local File Include vulnerability, which enables malicious actors to access any file on the server where the H2O dashboard is hosted, without the need for authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6038

The impact of this vulnerability is deemed critical, with a CVSS v3.0 base severity score of 9.3 (Critical). It poses a high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and no availability impact. The attack complexity is low, with no privileges required and no user interaction necessary.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6038

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects related to CVE-2023-6038, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in question involves a path traversal issue (CWE-29) where an attacker can include file paths like '\..\filename' to navigate through directories and access sensitive files on the server.

Affected Systems and Versions

The H2O Local File Include vulnerability impacts the 'h2oai/h2o-3' product offered by h2oai. The affected versions include unspecified versions up to the latest, indicating a broad range of potential targets.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors can bypass authentication requirements and gain unauthorized access to critical files stored on the server hosting the H2O dashboard.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on strategies to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-6038 and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions should include applying security patches or updates provided by h2oai to address the H2O Local File Include vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to the server hosting the H2O dashboard can help mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, regular security audits, and continuous monitoring of file access within the server environment can enhance long-term security resilience against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for security advisories and updates from h2oai, and promptly applying patches to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-6038, is crucial to maintaining a secure server environment.