Portal: Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default
CVE-2023-33949 is a high-severity initialization of a resource with an insecure default vulnerability in Portal from Liferay, 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 Portal versions: 7.3.0 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 0.82% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update DXP to 7.3.10 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on liferay.dev for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liferay | Portal | 7.3.0 and earlier | Not stated |
| Liferay | DXP | before 7.3.10 | 7.3.10 |
| Liferay | Digital Experience Platform | 7.0 through 7.2 | Not stated |
| Liferay | Liferay Portal | 7.0.0 through 7.0.6; 7.1.0 through 7.1.3; 7.2.0 through 7.2.1; 7.3.0 | Not stated |
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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (liferay.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
In Liferay Portal 7.3.0 and earlier, and Liferay DXP 7.2 and earlier the default configuration does not require users to verify their email address, which allows remote attackers to create accounts using fake email addresses or email addresses which they don't control. The portal property `company.security.strangers.verify` should be set to true.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default
The product initializes or sets a resource with a default that is intended to be changed by the product's installer, administrator, or maintainer, but the default is not secure.
More Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default vulnerabilities (CWE-1188)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Portal
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default vulnerabilities
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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