CVE-2023-27043 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the email module of Python, specifically through version 3.11.3. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit incorrect parsing of e-mail addresses that contain special characters, potentially leading to unauthorized access in applications that rely on email verification for signup processes.
The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 5.3, categorized as medium severity. This score indicates a moderate risk to organizations, particularly those utilizing the affected versions of Python in applications that require strict email validation.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access due to bypassing email verification mechanisms. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to create accounts or gain access to systems using improperly parsed email addresses.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The urgency arises from the vulnerability's potential impact and its exploitation in real-world scenarios. Although no public exploit exists as of now, the nature of the vulnerability presents a significant risk.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that the email module of Python incorrectly parses e-mail addresses with special characters. This misinterpretation can lead to the wrong portion of an RFC2822 header being treated as the value of the addr-spec. In certain applications, this flaw allows attackers to bypass mechanisms that restrict access based on verified email domains.
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N, indicating a network attack vector with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. The integrity impact is rated as low, which implies that while data may be compromised, the primary focus remains on access control vulnerabilities.
Affected products include multiple versions of Python as well as specific versions of Fedora and NetApp's Active IQ Unified Manager. The vulnerability was published on April 19, 2023, and falls under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-1286 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-27043 lies in the email module's failure to correctly parse email addresses containing special characters. This flaw arises from improper input validation within the email/_parseaddr.py file, which defaults to incorrect interpretations of the addr-spec.
This vulnerability is exploitable via network interactions, requiring no user interaction or privileges, making it particularly dangerous for applications that implement email verification processes. The attack complexity is low, allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability easily.
The confidentiality impact of this vulnerability is rated as none, while integrity impact is rated as low, indicating that unauthorized modifications might occur without proper validation of email addresses.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2023-27043 is significant, especially for organizations utilizing Python in applications that rely heavily on email for user registration and authentication. The ability to bypass email verification can lead to unauthorized account creation and access.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and emphasizes the need for robust security practices in application development. Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and consider the potential blast radius if exploited.
Given the CVSS score of 5.3 and the absence of known exploitation, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency to act stems from the potential for exploitation and the low complexity of the attack.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Python are affected: all versions prior to 2.7.18, as well as versions from 3.0 to 3.11.3. Additionally, Fedora 38 and 39, and various versions of NetApp's Active IQ Unified Manager are also vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2023-27043, organizations must upgrade to the latest version of Python that addresses this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing workarounds such as validating email input more stringently, particularly checking for special character handling.
Organizations should also consider configuration hardening and network controls to mitigate potential exploitation. Regular monitoring and logging of email validation processes can further help in identifying and addressing any anomalies.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may engage in penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their logs for indicators of unusual email parsing behavior. Look for patterns that deviate from expected email formats, particularly those involving special characters.
Behavioral anomalies in user registrations should also be flagged, and any unexpected account creations should be investigated. Network signatures that identify unusual email traffic may provide additional detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-27043 represents a significant risk within the Python ecosystem, highlighting the criticality of secure coding practices. As organizations increasingly rely on email for identity verification, vulnerabilities in email parsing can lead to severe security implications.
The low complexity of exploitation emphasizes the need for developers to thoroughly validate inputs. By ensuring robust input validation and testing against common attack vectors, organizations can mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For further insights on vulnerability management, organizations should explore resources on vulnerability management and consider best practices in penetration testing to strengthen their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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