CVE-2023-6831 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a Path Traversal vulnerability identified as '\..\filename' in the GitHub repository mlflow/mlflow prior to version 2.9.2.

Understanding CVE-2023-6831

This CVE highlights a Path Traversal vulnerability in the mlflow/mlflow repository, impacting versions prior to 2.9.2.

What is CVE-2023-6831?

The CVE-2023-6831 vulnerability refers to an issue where an attacker can navigate outside of the intended directory structure and access sensitive files by using the malicious path '\..\filename'.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6831

With a CVSSv3 base score of 10 (Critical), this vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows unauthorized users to potentially access and manipulate critical files, leading to data breaches, unauthorized data exposure, and possible system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6831

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, shedding light on its vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Path Traversal vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow allows attackers to traverse directories and access files outside of the intended directory, compromising data integrity and system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of mlflow/mlflow that are prior to 2.9.2, with specific details regarding the affected version being 'unspecified'.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the malicious path '\..\filename', threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to access and potentially modify files that are meant to be protected, leading to security breaches and unauthorized data disclosure.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-6831 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their mlflow/mlflow installations to version 2.9.2 or later to eliminate the Path Traversal vulnerability.
Implement access controls and input validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized directory traversal.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file access logs to detect any suspicious behavior indicative of directory traversal attacks.
Educate developers and users on secure coding practices, emphasizing the importance of input sanitization and validation.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by mlflow for the mlflow/mlflow repository to address vulnerabilities promptly and ensure the security of your systems.