CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-32192NVD status: Deferred

apiserver: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-32192 is a high-severity improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page vulnerability in apiserver from SUSE, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 0.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d952 as the first without the flaw, so updating apiserver to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update apiserver to 0.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d952 or a later version.
  2. Update apiserver to 0.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d952 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  5. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
SUSEapiserverbefore 0.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d9520.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d952
Kubernetesapiserverbefore 0.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d9520.0.0-20240207153957-4fd7d821d952

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
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
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
LowPerformance or availability is reduced.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (suse.de).

Official description

A vulnerability has been identified in which unauthenticated cross-site scripting (XSS) in the API Server's public API endpoint can be exploited, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim browser

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page

The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as <, >, and & that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • With Struts, write all data from form beans with the bean's filter attribute set to true.

More Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page vulnerabilities (CWE-80)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page vulnerabilities

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