HCL Sametime: Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information
CVE-2023-45696 is a high-severity use of cache containing sensitive information vulnerability in HCL Sametime from HCL Software, 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 HCL Sametime versions: 11.5, 11.6, 11.6 IF1, 12.0, 12.0 FP1, 12.0.1, 12.0.1 FP1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Sametime to 12.0.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.hcltechsw.com 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCL Software | HCL Sametime | 11.5, 11.6, 11.6 IF1, 12.0, 12.0 FP1, 12.0.1, 12.0.1 FP1 | Not stated |
| HCL Software | Sametime | 11.5 up to, but not including, 12.0.2 | 12.0.2 |
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
- 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 | 4.0 | Medium | CNA (hcl.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Sametime is impacted by sensitive fields with autocomplete enabled in the Legacy web chat client. By default, this allows user entered data to be stored by the browser.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information
The code uses a cache that contains sensitive information, but the cache can be read by an actor outside of the intended control sphere.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Do not store unnecessarily sensitive information in the cache.
More Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-524)
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
Other vulnerabilities in HCL Sametime
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Use of Cache Containing Sensitive Information vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
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