Endpoint: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File
CVE-2023-46668 is a critical-severity insertion of sensitive information into log file vulnerability in Endpoint from Elastic, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Endpoint versions: 7.9.0, 8.10.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Endpoint you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on elastic.co 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
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
- 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:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 4.6 | Medium | CNA (elastic.co) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
If Elastic Endpoint (v7.9.0 - v8.10.3) is configured to use a non-default option in which the logging level is explicitly set to debug, and when Elastic Agent is simultaneously configured to collect and send those logs to Elasticsearch, then Elastic Agent API keys can be viewed in Elasticsearch in plaintext. These API keys could be used to write arbitrary data and read Elastic Endpoint user artifacts.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File
The product writes sensitive information to a log file.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Consider seriously the sensitivity of the information written into log files. Do not write secrets into the log files.
- Remove debug log files before deploying the application into production.
- Protect log files against unauthorized read/write.
More Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerabilities (CWE-532)
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
Advisories
- elastic.co/community/securityMitigation
Patches and release notes
Recent Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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