CVE-2023-2253 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting RedHat's OpenShift platform. This flaw is found in the `/v2/_catalog` endpoint of the distribution/distribution component. It allows a malicious user to submit an unreasonably large value for the parameter controlling the maximum number of records returned, specifically the query string parameter `n`. This action could lead to the allocation of a massive string array, resulting in a denial of service due to excessive memory consumption.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium level of severity. The risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions from denial of service attacks. Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize addressing it in their patch management cycles.
As of now, there are no public exploits known to be associated with CVE-2023-2253, and it is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database. However, organizations should not overlook the importance of timely remediation to prevent any potential exploitation.
Organizations using affected RedHat OpenShift products should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service issue, attributed to the improper handling of parameters in the API endpoint. The CVSS 3.1 vector for this vulnerability is: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
It impacts the following products: OpenShift API for Data Protection, OpenShift Container Platform, and OpenShift Developer Tools and Services.
The vulnerability was published on June 6, 2023, and is tracked under CWE-475 and CWE-770.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-2253 lies in the excessive allocation of memory due to the handling of the `n` parameter. The attack vector is network-based, with a low attack complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. User interaction is not required, making it easier for attackers to leverage this vulnerability.
The availability impact is high, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are none. This means that while the data itself is not at risk, the service itself can become unavailable due to memory exhaustion.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying applications that rely on the affected RedHat OpenShift components face risks associated with potential service disruptions. The ease of exploitation due to low privileges required and the absence of user interaction highlights the urgency for organizations to establish robust defenses against denial of service attacks. The blast radius is significant, as this vulnerability can affect all instances of the affected products in use.
Organizations should address in priority patch cycle to prevent any denial of service incidents that could result in significant operational impacts.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following products are affected by this vulnerability:
1. OpenShift API for Data Protection
2. OpenShift Container Platform version 4.0
3. OpenShift Developer Tools and Services
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should look to apply patches as soon as they are available. For those unable to immediately patch, implementing rate limiting and input validation for the `/v2/_catalog` endpoint can help mitigate the impact of this vulnerability.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unexpected API calls to the `/v2/_catalog` endpoint, particularly those with excessively large values for the `n` parameter. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in application performance may indicate an attack.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-2253 serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation in API endpoints. As organizations increasingly rely on APIs for critical functionalities, ensuring robust security measures is essential. This vulnerability could potentially lead to significant disruption if left unaddressed.
For further insights, organizations may explore our resources on API security testing and penetration testing methodology to ensure comprehensive security practices.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from understanding vulnerability management programs to proactively identify and address similar risks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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