CVE-2023-6393 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6393, published by Red Hat, pertains to a potential invalid reuse of context when the @cacheresult on a uni is used in Quarkus. It was reported on November 14, 2023, and made public on November 15, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-6393

This section will cover the essential details of CVE-2023-6393, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

What is CVE-2023-6393?

CVE-2023-6393 involves a flaw in the Quarkus Cache Runtime. When a Uni cached using @CacheResult reuses the initial "completion" context in request processing, it can lead to the processing switching to the cached Uni instead of the request context. This could potentially expose sensitive information and allow malicious users to access data meant for other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6393

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as moderate. With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, the confidentiality impact is high, but the availability impact is none. It requires low privileges and has a high attack complexity, posing a medium severity risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6393

In this section, we will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-6393.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Quarkus Cache Runtime allows for the reuse of context in request processing, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Quarkus
Versions Unaffected: 3.2.9.GA, 2.13.9.CR2
Product: Red Hat build of Quarkus
Affected Status
Package Name: io.quarkus/quarkus-cache
CPEs: cpe:/a:redhat:quarkus:2

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious users could exploit this vulnerability by utilizing a POST request to access sensitive data meant for another user due to the improper reuse of context in cached Uni processing.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-6393, certain immediate steps can be taken, along with long-term security practices and recommendations for patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Currently, no specific mitigation is available for this flaw. It is crucial to monitor for any updates or security advisories from the vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and dependencies to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent common security flaws.

Patching and Updates

It is recommended to apply patches or updates provided by Red Hat or the respective vendor to address the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of the affected systems.