CVE-2023-23917 in Rocket.Chat Server
Summary
by MITRE • 02/23/2023
A prototype pollution vulnerability exists in Rocket.Chat server <5.2.0 that could allow an attacker to a RCE under the admin account. Any user can create their own server in your cloud and become an admin so this vulnerability could affect the cloud infrastructure. This attack vector also may increase the impact of XSS to RCE which is dangerous for self-hosted users as well.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23917 represents a critical prototype pollution flaw within Rocket.Chat server versions prior to 5.2.0, creating a significant security risk that extends beyond individual installations to cloud infrastructure environments. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-provided input during object prototype manipulation, allowing attackers to inject malicious properties into JavaScript prototypes that subsequently affect the application's behavior. The flaw specifically targets the server-side processing of data structures, where prototype pollution can occur when user-controllable data is used to set properties on objects without proper sanitization or validation. The implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability can be exploited to achieve remote code execution under administrative privileges, making it a highly attractive target for malicious actors seeking to compromise server environments. The attack vector is especially concerning in cloud deployments where users can create their own server instances, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative control over shared infrastructure resources.
The technical exploitation of this prototype pollution vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's prototype chain, which can subsequently lead to arbitrary code execution when the polluted prototype properties are accessed during normal application operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-471, which specifically addresses the weakness of using an incorrect or unsafe method to manipulate object prototypes. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input that gets processed through the application's data handling mechanisms, where the prototype pollution occurs during object property assignment operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because the attacker can leverage this to gain administrative privileges, which then provides access to sensitive server operations, user data, and potentially other system resources. In cloud environments, this creates a particularly dangerous scenario where a single compromised user account could potentially affect the entire infrastructure, as the attacker could create their own server instance and immediately gain administrative access through the prototype pollution exploit.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-23917 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader security implications for both cloud deployments and self-hosted installations. For cloud infrastructure providers, this vulnerability creates a potential attack surface where malicious users could compromise not only their own server instances but also affect other users sharing the same infrastructure. The vulnerability's ability to escalate from cross-site scripting to remote code execution significantly increases the attack surface, as XSS payloads could be leveraged to establish prototype pollution conditions that ultimately lead to full system compromise. Self-hosted users face similar risks, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including API interactions, web interface submissions, and potentially even through compromised user accounts. The attack complexity is relatively low for skilled adversaries, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that may not have adequate security monitoring in place to detect such prototype pollution activities. The vulnerability's exploitation can occur through various application entry points where user input is processed and subsequently used in object construction or property assignment operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23917 should focus on immediate version upgrades to Rocket.Chat 5.2.0 or later, which includes patches addressing the prototype pollution vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures that specifically target prototype manipulation attacks, including the use of secure coding practices that prevent user-controllable data from being used in prototype operations. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and other web application security controls can help limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous prototype manipulation activities and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any instances where prototype pollution might occur in custom extensions or third-party integrations that may not have been patched. The remediation process should include not only updating the core application but also reviewing all user input handling mechanisms to ensure that prototype pollution cannot occur through any application pathways. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations are effective and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase.