CVE-2023-6146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-6146 involves a stored XSS vulnerability found in QualysGuard VM/PC, impacting Qualysguard web application users due to the absence of HTML encoding in the presentation of logging information.

Understanding CVE-2023-6146

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-6146 vulnerability, its impacts, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6146?

The vulnerability in QualysGuard VM/PC arises from a stored XSS issue that allows a user with login access to the web application to introduce malicious XSS payloads through browser details.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6146

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.7 (Medium severity), the vulnerability's confidentiality impact is high, while the attack complexity is low. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and data compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6146

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-6146 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The stored XSS vulnerability in QualysGuard VM/PC results from the lack of HTML encoding in the logging information presentation, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's session.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Qualysguard version less than 10.24.0.0 deployed on the PCP platform.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires a malicious user to have login access to the Qualysguard web application to inject and execute XSS payloads through browser details.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-6146, users and organizations are advised to take prompt action based on the following recommendations.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Qualys Private Cloud Platform to a minimum version of 10.24.0.0 to address the stored XSS vulnerability in QualysGuard VM/PC.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security practices such as regular security assessments, training sessions on XSS prevention, and monitoring for unusual user activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Qualys to address vulnerabilities like the stored XSS issue in QualysGuard VM/PC for ongoing protection.