CVE-2023-2792 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
Mattermost fails to sanitize ephemeral error messages, allowing an attacker to obtain arbitrary message contents by a specially crafted /groupmsg command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2792 resides within the Mattermost collaboration platform, specifically affecting how the system handles ephemeral error messages. This issue manifests when users execute a specially crafted /groupmsg command, which exposes the platform's failure to properly sanitize error responses. The root cause stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the messaging framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract sensitive information from the system's error handling processes. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under the category of improper input validation and output encoding as classified by CWE-20 and CWE-79 respectively.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to construct a specific /groupmsg command that triggers an error condition within the Mattermost system. When the platform processes this malformed input, it fails to sanitize the error message before displaying it to users, potentially exposing internal system information, user data, or message contents that should remain confidential. This represents a classic case of information disclosure through improper error handling, where the system's attempt to provide diagnostic information inadvertently reveals sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1211 for lateral movement through command execution and T1005 for data from local system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other reconnaissance activities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to message contents that may include confidential communications, personal information, or system-related details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The scope of potential damage depends on the sensitivity of the messages within the Mattermost environment, which could include anything from internal communications to project-specific data that should remain protected. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Mattermost for secure communications, as it undermines the confidentiality assurances typically expected from such collaboration platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2792 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms throughout the Mattermost platform. Organizations should ensure that all error messages, particularly those generated during command processing, are properly sanitized before display to prevent information leakage. The recommended approach includes implementing strict validation of all input parameters within the /groupmsg command and ensuring that error responses contain no sensitive information. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring for unusual command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied promptly, and organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Mattermost deployments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.