CVE-2023-38579 in Lynx 206-F2G
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2024
The cross-site request forgery token in the request may be predictable or easily guessable allowing attackers to craft a malicious request, which could be triggered by a victim unknowingly. In a successful CSRF attack, the attacker could lead the victim user to carry out an action unintentionally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38579 represents a critical weakness in web application security mechanisms specifically related to cross-site request forgery protection. This flaw manifests when the anti-CSRF token implementation fails to generate sufficiently random or unpredictable tokens, creating a scenario where malicious actors can potentially deduce or reproduce valid tokens. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient randomization in security tokens, which is classified as CWE-330, and directly impacts the fundamental integrity of web application authentication and authorization processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when web applications rely on predictable patterns or insufficient entropy in their CSRF token generation algorithms. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the target application because they contain valid anti-CSRF tokens that the application accepts without proper validation. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into clicking on malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to vulnerable applications on behalf of authenticated users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 which covers phishing techniques specifically targeting web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-38579 extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform actions that users may not intend to execute. This includes but is not limited to changing user passwords, modifying account settings, transferring funds, or deleting critical data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and legitimate users, making it difficult to detect malicious activities that occur within the normal flow of authenticated user sessions. The attack can be executed through various methods including email phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering techniques that manipulate users into triggering the malicious requests.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust token generation mechanisms that utilize cryptographically secure random number generators. Organizations should ensure that CSRF tokens are generated with sufficient entropy and are unique per session or request, preventing attackers from predicting or reproducing valid tokens. Security measures should include implementing proper token validation procedures, implementing time-based token expiration, and ensuring that tokens are properly transmitted over secure channels. The remediation process must also involve comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify potential weaknesses in token generation and validation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional layers of security such as origin validation checks and user consent mechanisms to further protect against CSRF attacks. The implementation of these mitigations aligns with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security.