CVE-2023-23126 in Automate
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2023
Connectwise Automate 2022.11 is vulnerable to Clickjacking. The login screen can be iframed and used to manipulate users to perform unintended actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23126 affects Connectwise Automate version 2022.11 and represents a critical clickjacking flaw that undermines the security of the application's authentication interface. This vulnerability allows attackers to embed the login screen within an iframe on a malicious website, creating a deceptive user experience where legitimate users might be tricked into performing unintended actions. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper frame options headers that should prevent the application from being embedded in external contexts.
Clickjacking attacks leverage the principle of user interface deception where attackers manipulate the visual presentation of web content to mislead users into interacting with elements they did not intend to engage with. In this specific case, the vulnerability exists within the authentication flow of Connectwise Automate, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the most sensitive part of any security system. The login screen, which should be protected from external embedding, becomes a potential entry point for credential theft or unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-1021, which specifically addresses insufficient protection against clickjacking attacks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, privilege escalation, and unauthorized administrative access to the Connectwise Automate environment. Attackers could craft convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate while actually embedding the vulnerable login interface, making it difficult for users to distinguish between authentic and malicious interfaces. The attack becomes even more dangerous when considering that Connectwise Automate is commonly used for remote system management and monitoring, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with extensive access to enterprise networks.
From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing proper content security policy headers including X-Frame-Options and Content Security Policy directives that prevent embedding of sensitive application components. Organizations should immediately implement frame busting techniques and ensure that all authentication interfaces are protected against being rendered within iframes. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive security headers that explicitly prevent the application from being embedded in external contexts, with additional monitoring for suspicious embedding attempts. This vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments of authentication flows and the implementation of the principle of least privilege in web application design.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses any user who might be tricked into visiting a malicious website containing the crafted iframe, particularly in environments where users have administrative access to the Connectwise Automate system. Given that the vulnerability affects the login screen specifically, it represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture that could be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the Connectwise Automate application to version 2023.1 or later, which should include proper implementation of frame protection mechanisms and enhanced security headers throughout the application interface.