CVE-2023-6793 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6793 article discusses an improper privilege management vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software that allows an authenticated read-only administrator to revoke active XML API keys from the firewall, disrupting XML API usage.

Understanding CVE-2023-6793

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-6793, shedding light on what it entails and its potential impacts.

What is CVE-2023-6793?

CVE-2023-6793 is an improper privilege management vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software. It enables a read-only administrator with authentication to revoke active XML API keys from the firewall, leading to disruption in XML API usage.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6793

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as low severity, with a CVSS base score of 2.7. It allows privilege escalation for a read-only administrator, potentially leading to service disruption and misuse of XML API functionality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6793

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in PAN-OS software allows authenticated read-only administrators to revoke active XML API keys, affecting the normal functioning of XML API within the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions include PAN-OS 9.0.17-h4, 9.1.17, 10.1.11, 10.2.5, 11.0.2, and all versions below these mentioned releases.

Exploitation Mechanism

This vulnerability requires an attacker to have authenticated access to the PAN-OS XML API to exploit it successfully.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers the steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-6793 and prevent potential security breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, it is recommended to follow the Best Practices for Securing Administrative Access in the PAN-OS technical documentation available at the Palo Alto Networks website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong authentication mechanisms and access controls, as well as regularly updating and patching the PAN-OS software, can help prevent similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the long term.

Patching and Updates

Palo Alto Networks has released fixes for this vulnerability in PAN-OS 9.0.17-h4, 9.1.17, 10.1.11, 10.2.5, 11.0.2, and all subsequent versions of PAN-OS. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to secure the system against potential exploitation.

This article has provided comprehensive insights into CVE-2023-6793, highlighting the nature of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and necessary mitigation steps to enhance system security and resilience.