Nexpose: Direct Request
CVE-2023-1699 is a critical-severity direct request vulnerability in Nexpose from Rapid7, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Nexpose versions: 6.6.186 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Nexpose you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 4.3 | Medium | CNA (rapid7.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Rapid7 Nexpose versions 6.6.186 and below suffer from a forced browsing vulnerability. This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate URLs to forcefully browse to and access administrative pages. This vulnerability is fixed in version 6.6.187.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Direct Request
The web application does not adequately enforce appropriate authorization on all restricted URLs, scripts, or files.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Apply appropriate access control authorizations for each access to all restricted URLs, scripts or files.
- Consider using MVC based frameworks such as Struts.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- docs.rapid7.com/release-notes/nexpose/20230329/Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in Nexpose
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Direct Request vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.0 High severity
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