CVE-2023-31486 in Communications Cloud Native Core Network Slice Selection Function
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2023
HTTP::Tiny before 0.083, a Perl core module since 5.13.9 and available standalone on CPAN, has an insecure default TLS configuration where users must opt in to verify certificates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31486 affects HTTP::Tiny, a lightweight perl module that has been part of the perl core distribution since version 5.13.9 and is also available as a standalone module on CPAN. This module serves as a simple http client implementation that many perl applications rely upon for making network requests. The flaw lies in the module's default TLS configuration which prioritizes convenience over security by enabling insecure connections without proper certificate verification. This design choice creates a significant security risk for applications that depend on HTTP::Tiny for network communications, as it effectively disables the primary security mechanism that protects against man-in-the-middle attacks and certificate forgery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from HTTP::Tiny's default behavior of setting the SSL_verify_mode to 0, which disables certificate verification entirely. When applications use HTTP::Tiny without explicitly configuring SSL verification, they become susceptible to various attack vectors including certificate pinning bypasses and rogue certificate impersonation. This insecure default configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates a dangerous precedent where security is opt-out rather than opt-in. The vulnerability affects all versions of HTTP::Tiny prior to 0.083, making it a widespread issue across numerous perl applications and systems that have not been updated to the patched version. This flaw directly maps to CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and represents a classic example of insecure default configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual applications to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures that rely on perl-based services. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform successful man-in-the-middle attacks against applications using HTTP::Tiny, potentially intercepting sensitive data, modifying communications, or redirecting traffic to malicious endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core perl functionality and is likely used in numerous automated scripts, web applications, and system management tools. Organizations running perl applications that utilize HTTP::Tiny without explicit SSL verification configuration are at risk of data breaches and security incidents. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and exploitation of insecure network communications, and T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-31486 require immediate action to upgrade HTTP::Tiny to version 0.083 or later, which includes proper certificate verification as the default setting. System administrators should also implement configuration management policies to ensure that all perl applications using HTTP::Tiny explicitly set SSL verification parameters to prevent accidental use of insecure defaults. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their perl-based applications to identify all instances where HTTP::Tiny is used without explicit SSL verification configuration. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, particularly in environments where unencrypted or improperly verified communications are common. The fix addresses the root cause by changing the default behavior to enable certificate verification, thereby aligning with security best practices and reducing the attack surface for applications relying on this core perl module.