Obsidian: Incorrect Default Permissions
CVE-2023-27035 is a high-severity incorrect default permissions vulnerability in Obsidian, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Obsidian versions: 1.1.9. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.84% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 79% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Obsidian 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 NVD's product matching. 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.5 | Medium | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
An issue discovered in Obsidian Canvas 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to send desktop notifications, record user audio and other unspecified impacts via embedded website on the canvas page.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Default Permissions
During installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- The architecture needs to access and modification attributes for files to only those users who actually require those actions.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
More Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-276)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- forum.obsidian.md/t/embedded-web-pages-in-obsidian-canvas-can-use-sensitive-web-apis-without-the-users-permis…Exploit
- github.com/fivex3/CVE-2023-27035Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Obsidian
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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