CVE-2023-6974 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides an in-depth analysis of CVE-2023-6974, a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow that could potentially lead to remote code execution on the victim machine.

Understanding CVE-2023-6974

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2023-6974 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6974?

CVE-2023-6974 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow that could be exploited by a malicious user to access internal HTTP(s) servers. In the worst-case scenario, such as on an AWS instance, this vulnerability could be abused to achieve remote code execution on the victim machine.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6974

The impact of CVE-2023-6974 is classified as high severity with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 8.6. The confidentiality impact is high, while the integrity impact is none. This vulnerability does not require any special privileges for exploitation and has a low attack complexity. The attack vector is through the network, and user interaction is not needed.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6974

This section will provide a detailed overview of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow allows a malicious actor to perform SSRF attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to internal HTTP(s) servers and, in the worst case, remote code execution on the victim machine.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects mlflow/mlflow versions less than 2.9.2. Specifically, the versions that are unspecified fall under the custom version type and are considered affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-6974 involves leveraging the SSRF vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow to send crafted requests that could access internal HTTP(s) servers and potentially execute arbitrary code on the victim machine.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-6974, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected systems and prevent potential exploitation. Implementing long-term security practices and promptly applying patches and updates is crucial in mitigating the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update mlflow/mlflow to version 2.9.2 or later, which includes fixes for the SSRF vulnerability.
Restrict network access and communication to prevent unauthorized requests to internal servers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and patch vulnerabilities proactively.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of SSRF attacks and other network-based threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates released by mlflow to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Apply patches and security updates in a timely manner to ensure the protection of systems and data against potential exploits.