CVE-2023-38546 is a low-severity vulnerability in Haxx's libcurl, specifically related to cookie handling. This vulnerability allows an attacker to insert cookies at will into a running program using libcurl, if the specific series of conditions are met. The severity level is classified as low, with a CVSS score of 3.7, indicating a need for attention but not an immediate crisis. Organizations should understand the implications of this flaw, as it could lead to unauthorized data manipulation.
The vulnerability arises due to how libcurl manages cookie states when duplicating easy handles. When a handle with cookies enabled is duplicated, the cookie state is also cloned without the actual cookies. If the original handle has not read any cookies from a file, the clone stores the file name as `none`. This behavior can lead to unintended consequences if a file named `none` exists and is readable, potentially allowing unauthorized access to cookie data.
Currently, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the KEV catalog. However, the risk to organizations includes potential data integrity issues through unauthorized cookie manipulation. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching in their regular update cycles to mitigate any possible risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent any potential exploitation of this vulnerability. As cookie handling is a critical aspect of many web applications and services, proactive measures are essential to ensure security.
Vulnerability Details
The CVE-2023-38546 vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate cookies in a running application utilizing libcurl. It is characterized by the ability to duplicate an easy handle without properly cloning the associated cookies, leading to potential exposure to a file named `none` if it exists. The vulnerability is classified under the low severity category with a CVSS score of 3.7, indicating a low risk level yet necessitating awareness and remediation.
The attack vector is classified as network-based, with an attack complexity rated as high. This means exploitation is not straightforward and requires specific conditions to be met, which may limit the number of potential attackers. No user interaction is required, and no privileges are necessary to exploit this vulnerability. The integrity impact is marked as low, while confidentiality and availability impacts are noted as none.
The vulnerability affects all versions of libcurl from 7.9.1 up to, but not including, 8.4.0. Organizations using these versions should carefully evaluate their deployment and consider immediate remediation strategies.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-38546 lies in the handling of cookie states within libcurl's API. When an application creates an easy handle for a transfer, if that handle has cookies enabled and is duplicated using the function call curl_easy_duphandle, the cookie-enabled state is also cloned. However, this cloning does not include the actual cookies, which can lead to a situation where the cloned handle inadvertently uses a file named `none` if it does not explicitly set a source to load cookies from.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker could exploit this flaw remotely. The complexity is considered high, which implies that the conditions for exploitation are not trivial. Since no privileges are required and no user interaction is needed, this vulnerability poses a particular risk if the conditions are met in a production environment.
Confidentiality impact is rated as none, while integrity impact is rated as low, indicating that the vulnerability could allow for minor changes to the data. Availability is not impacted. This combination of factors presents a limited but notable risk that organizations should address.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2023-38546 primarily revolves around its potential to allow unauthorized cookie manipulation. If an attacker gains access to cookies improperly, they may be able to hijack sessions or manipulate user data inadvertently. This could have serious implications for applications using libcurl, particularly those handling sensitive user data.
Organizations should assess the urgency of addressing this issue based on the low CVSS score of 3.7. While it does not require immediate action, it should be prioritized in the upcoming patch cycle as part of a broader vulnerability management program. The risk to organizations includes the potential for data integrity issues and unauthorized access to session information.
In terms of blast radius, the impact may vary depending on the application environment and the sensitivity of the data being handled. Organizations that deploy libcurl in critical applications should prioritize patching to mitigate this risk effectively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of libcurl from 7.9.1 up to, but not including, 8.4.0. Organizations should verify their deployments to ensure they are not using vulnerable versions.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-38546, organizations should upgrade to libcurl version 8.4.0 or later. If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to the file system where the program runs to prevent unauthorized access to files with names like `none`. Regularly monitor for updates and security patches related to libcurl.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for anomalies in cookie handling and file access permissions can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Log indicators should include file access logs for any files named `none` and any unexpected changes to cookie states during application execution.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-38546 represents a growing concern regarding how applications handle cookies and session management. Although this vulnerability is classified as low severity, it emphasizes the need for stringent security practices in software development, especially when dealing with sensitive user data. Organizations should implement security reviews as part of their software development lifecycle to identify weaknesses early.
This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date libraries and conducting regular security assessments. Security teams can benefit from resources such as the penetration testing methodology and ongoing training to stay ahead of emerging threats.
In conclusion, organizations should not only address CVE-2023-38546 but also reassess their overall security posture to guard against similar vulnerabilities in the future. The evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous improvement in security strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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