CVE-2023-6280 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-6280 involves an XXE (XML External Entity) vulnerability found in 52North WPS software affecting versions prior to 4.0.0-beta.11. The vulnerability allows attackers to use external entities in the WebProcessingService servlet to retrieve files through HTTP requests to the internal network.

Understanding CVE-2023-6280

This section provides an overview of the nature and impact of CVE-2023-6280.

What is CVE-2023-6280?

The CVE-2023-6280 vulnerability is classified as CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference. It allows unauthorized entities to exploit the 52North WPS software, potentially leading to information disclosure and unauthorized access to internal files.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6280

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high with a base score of 7.2. While the attack complexity is low, the confidentiality impact is assessed as low, availability impact as low, and integrity impact as none. This vulnerability does not require privileges and does not necessitate user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6280

In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-6280.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the 52North WPS software by utilizing external entities within the WebProcessingService servlet. By sending HTTP requests to the internal network, the attackers can manipulate the system to retrieve files.

Affected Systems and Versions

The XXE vulnerability impacts versions of 52North WPS that are earlier than 4.0.0-beta.11. Systems running these versions are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious external entities into requests made to the WebProcessingService servlet, tricking the system into disclosing sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-6280, it is essential to implement the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update 52North WPS to version 4.0.0-beta.11 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Implement firewall rules to restrict external access to sensitive internal resources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users and system administrators on best practices for secure application usage.
Stay informed about security updates and patches released by software vendors.

Patching and Updates

Keep the 52North WPS software updated with the latest patches and security fixes to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-6280. Regularly check for updates from the official vendor sources and apply them as soon as they are available.