CVE-2023-33955 in Console
Summary
by MITRE • 05/30/2023
Minio Console is the UI for MinIO Object Storage. Unicode RIGHT-TO-LEFT OVERRIDE characters can be used to mask the original filename. This issue has been patched in version 0.28.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33955 affects the Minio Console user interface component of MinIO Object Storage systems. This security flaw resides within the file upload handling mechanism where the console fails to properly sanitize or validate filename inputs containing Unicode characters. The specific issue involves the exploitation of the Unicode RIGHT-TO-LEFT OVERRIDE character (U+202E) which can be strategically inserted into filenames to manipulate how the system displays file names. This character forces the subsequent text to render in right-to-left direction, effectively obfuscating the actual filename and potentially masking malicious content within the file name itself.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Minio Console's filename processing pipeline. When users upload files through the web interface, the system does not adequately filter or normalize Unicode characters that could alter the visual representation of filenames without changing the underlying file system representation. This creates a scenario where an attacker could craft filenames that appear benign when displayed but actually contain malicious components or misleading information. The vulnerability specifically impacts the user interface layer where filenames are rendered for user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users rely on visual cues for file identification.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Minio Console for object storage management. Attackers could exploit this weakness to create misleading file names that appear to be legitimate files while actually containing malicious content or serving as part of social engineering attacks. The masking capability allows for potential bypass of security controls that depend on filename inspection, such as antivirus scanning or access control policies that filter based on file extensions or naming conventions. This issue is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where visual deception could lead to accidental execution of malicious files or unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The vulnerability has been addressed through patching in Minio Console version 0.28.0, which implements proper Unicode character sanitization and normalization of filenames before display. Organizations should immediately upgrade to this patched version to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious file upload patterns and consider implementing additional validation layers at the application level to prevent similar issues in other components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-174, which addresses the weakness of insufficient input sanitization, and could be leveraged by threat actors following ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for execution through deceptive file names. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive Unicode handling in security-critical user interface components.