CVE-2023-33947 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2023
The Object module in Liferay Portal 7.4.3.4 through 7.4.3.60, and Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 61 does not segment object definition by virtual instance in search which allows remote authenticated users in one virtual instance to view object definition from a second virtual instance by searching for the object definition.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33947 affects Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP platforms, specifically targeting the Object module's handling of virtual instances during search operations. This security flaw exists in versions 7.4.3.4 through 7.4.3.60 of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 61, creating a critical access control bypass that undermines the fundamental security model of virtual instance isolation. The issue stems from improper segmentation of object definitions when performing search operations, allowing authenticated users from one virtual instance to access sensitive information belonging to other virtual instances within the same deployment.
The technical flaw manifests in the Object module's search functionality where object definitions are not properly filtered based on virtual instance boundaries. When users perform search operations within the Liferay platform, the system fails to enforce virtual instance segmentation, resulting in cross-contamination of object definition data. This occurs because the search mechanism does not adequately validate or restrict access to object definitions based on the user's virtual instance context, effectively allowing privilege escalation through information disclosure. The vulnerability is classified as a data exposure issue that violates the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables unauthorized information disclosure across virtual instance boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive business data, configuration details, and object definitions that should remain isolated within their respective virtual instances. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about other virtual instances, potentially identifying system configurations, business processes, and data structures that could be leveraged for further attacks. This cross-instance data leakage could lead to information disclosure of proprietary business information, system architecture details, and potentially sensitive operational data that violates data isolation requirements.
Organizations utilizing Liferay Portal or DXP platforms are strongly advised to implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches and updates from Liferay to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized search activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1087.001 Account Discovery, as it enables unauthorized access to information within different virtual instances. Organizations should also review their virtual instance configurations and access controls to ensure proper isolation boundaries are maintained, particularly focusing on search and query operations that might inadvertently expose cross-instance data.