CVE-2023-49582 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the Apache Portable Runtime (APR) library on Unix platforms. This vulnerability allows local users to gain read access to named shared memory segments due to lax permissions, potentially exposing sensitive application data. The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate risk to organizations that utilize this library in their applications.
The vulnerability specifically affects versions of APR prior to 1.7.5. It is important to note that the issue does not impact non-Unix platforms or builds with the configuration option APR_USE_SHMEM_SHMGET=1. Organizations using vulnerable versions should prioritize upgrading to APR 1.7.5, which mitigates this risk.
Risk to organizations includes potential exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized users, leading to data breaches or regulatory compliance issues. As such, security teams should take immediate action to assess their systems and implement necessary updates.
As of now, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations should remain vigilant, as the exploitation potential exists if the vulnerability is not addressed.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
Lax permissions set by the Apache Portable Runtime library on Unix platforms would allow local users read access to named shared memory segments, potentially revealing sensitive application data. This issue does not affect non-Unix platforms or builds with APR_USE_SHMEM_SHMGET=1 (apr.h). Users are recommended to upgrade to APR version 1.7.5, which fixes this issue.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The CVSS vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating a local attack vector with low complexity and low privileges required. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability impacts are none.
The affected product is the Apache Portable Runtime library, specifically versions from 0.9.0 up to, but not including, 1.7.5. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732, which pertains to incorrect permission assignment.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in lax permission settings within the Apache Portable Runtime library. The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker would need some level of access to the system where APR is deployed. The attack complexity is low, as no special conditions need to be met to exploit this vulnerability, and only low privileges are required.
User interaction is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The confidentiality impact is categorized as high because sensitive application data could potentially be exposed to unauthorized local users. However, the integrity and availability impacts are assessed to be none.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing the Apache Portable Runtime library on Unix platforms face significant risks due to this vulnerability. The potential for local attackers to access sensitive application data can lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory repercussions. The blast radius for this vulnerability is moderate, primarily affecting systems where the library is deployed.
Given the medium CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The presence of the vulnerability in a widely used library like APR exacerbates the risk, making it imperative for security teams to take swift action.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the Apache Portable Runtime library, specifically versions from 0.9.0 up to, but not including, version 1.7.5. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest version to mitigate the associated risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to Apache Portable Runtime version 1.7.5 or later. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing configuration hardening measures to restrict access to shared memory segments.
Additionally, organizations may wish to adopt network controls to limit access to systems running vulnerable versions. Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can also aid in mitigating potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
For further assistance, organizations can explore our penetration testing services to evaluate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access to shared memory segments. Behavioral anomalies should be investigated, especially in systems where the Apache Portable Runtime library is deployed. Additionally, network signatures that detect attempts to access these segments can further enhance security.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-49582 lies in its potential to expose sensitive data in environments where the Apache Portable Runtime is used. This vulnerability represents a broader trend of misconfigured permissions leading to unauthorized data access.
Security teams should learn from this incident and incorporate permission audits as part of their ongoing security assessments. Mitigation strategies must focus on both timely updates and secure configurations.
For more information on securing applications, refer to our guide on vulnerability management programs and consider our penetration testing methodology services for comprehensive assessments.
Finally, organizations should also consider our API security testing services to ensure their applications remain secure against evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)