Thingsboard: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
CVE-2023-45303 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in Thingsboard, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating Thingsboard to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.05% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 65% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Thingsboard to 3.5 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on herolab.usd.de for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thingsboard | Thingsboard | before 3.5 | 3.5 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.4 | High | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
ThingsBoard before 3.5 allows Server-Side Template Injection if users are allowed to modify an email template, because Apache FreeMarker supports freemarker.template.utility.Execute (for content sent to the /api/admin/settings endpoint).
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
- Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
Other vulnerabilities in Thingsboard
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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