CVE-2023-42509 in Artifactory
Summary
by MITRE • 03/07/2024
JFrog Artifactory later than version 7.17.4 but prior to version 7.77.0 is vulnerable to an issue whereby a sequence of improperly handled exceptions in repository configuration initialization steps may lead to exposure of sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42509 affects JFrog Artifactory versions between 7.17.4 and 7.77.0, representing a critical security flaw in the repository management system's configuration initialization process. This issue stems from improper exception handling mechanisms that occur during the startup and configuration phases of the Artifactory service. The flaw manifests when the system encounters specific error conditions while initializing repository configurations, leading to unintended data exposure through exception handling routines. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper exception handling as classified by CWE-707, which specifically addresses the risk of sensitive information disclosure through inadequate error management. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can expose sensitive data during normal operational conditions when the system attempts to process repository configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a sequence of exception handling failures that occur during Artifactory's initialization phase when processing repository settings. When the system encounters malformed or invalid repository configurations, the exception handling code does not properly sanitize or suppress sensitive information that might be present in the error messages or stack traces. This can include database connection strings, API keys, authentication tokens, and other credential information that may be embedded within the repository configuration files or associated metadata. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the initialization level, meaning that any attempt to configure or reconfigure repositories during normal operation could trigger the vulnerability. The improper handling occurs in the configuration parsing and validation routines where the system fails to properly filter exception data before it is processed or logged, creating a pathway for sensitive information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42509 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can provide attackers with access to critical authentication credentials and system configuration details that could facilitate further attacks. Organizations using affected versions of JFrog Artifactory face significant risk of credential theft, especially in environments where repository configurations contain database credentials or external service authentication tokens. The vulnerability can be exploited through normal repository configuration operations, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to downstream systems, including databases, external repositories, and other integrated services that rely on the credentials exposed through the exception handling routines. The impact is compounded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core configuration management functionality, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate repository settings and establish persistent access points within the organization's artifact management infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address CVE-2023-42509 by upgrading to JFrog Artifactory version 7.77.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the improper exception handling issues. System administrators should also review existing repository configurations to identify and remove any sensitive data that might be exposed through the current exception handling mechanisms. The mitigation process should include implementing proper log sanitization procedures and ensuring that all exception handling routines filter out sensitive information before processing or logging error messages. Security teams should monitor system logs for any unusual patterns related to repository configuration changes or error handling events that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls around Artifactory instances to limit potential attack surfaces, particularly focusing on the repository configuration endpoints that trigger the vulnerable exception handling paths. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through service configuration and T1078.004 for legitimate credentials for persistence. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version properly handles all repository configuration scenarios without exposing sensitive data.