CVE-2023-45825 in ydb-go-sdk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
ydb-go-sdk is a pure Go native and database/sql driver for the YDB platform. Since ydb-go-sdk v3.48.6 if you use a custom credentials object (implementation of interface Credentials it may leak into logs. This happens because this object could be serialized into an error message using `fmt.Errorf("something went wrong (credentials: %q)", credentials)` during connection to the YDB server. If such logging occurred, a malicious user with access to logs could read sensitive information (i.e. credentials) information and use it to get access to the database. ydb-go-sdk contains this problem in versions from v3.48.6 to v3.53.2. The fix for this problem has been released in version v3.53.3. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade should implement the `fmt.Stringer` interface in your custom credentials type with explicit stringify of object state.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-45825 affects the ydb-go-sdk library, a Go implementation for connecting to the YDB database platform. This security issue specifically impacts versions ranging from v3.48.6 through v3.53.2 where custom credentials objects could potentially expose sensitive information through log output. The flaw occurs when the SDK encounters connection errors and attempts to serialize credentials objects into error messages using the fmt.Errorf function with a format string that includes credentials data. This logging mechanism creates an information exposure risk where malicious actors with access to system logs could extract authentication credentials and use them to gain unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of credential objects during error conditions. When the ydb-go-sdk encounters connection failures, it constructs error messages that include serialized credentials data through the format string "something went wrong (credentials: %q)". This approach directly incorporates the credentials object into log output without proper sanitization or obfuscation. The issue is particularly concerning because it violates fundamental security principles of credential handling and logging practices. According to CWE-209, this represents a vulnerability where error messages contain sensitive information, while CWE-312 addresses the exposure of sensitive data in logs and error messages. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in error reporting mechanisms where sensitive data is unnecessarily exposed through standard logging practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected versions of the ydb-go-sdk. Attackers with access to system logs, whether through legitimate administrative access, compromised accounts, or other means, could extract authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive credential information. This exposure could lead to unauthorized database access, data breaches, and potential compromise of the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects any application using custom credentials implementations that are passed to the YDB SDK, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications or services interact with the same database system. The risk is amplified in cloud environments or shared hosting scenarios where log access might be more broadly available.
The fix for CVE-2023-45825 was implemented in version v3.53.3 of the ydb-go-sdk, which addresses the root cause by preventing the automatic serialization of credentials objects into error messages. Organizations should immediately upgrade to this patched version to eliminate the vulnerability. For those unable to upgrade immediately, the recommended mitigation involves implementing the fmt.Stringer interface in custom credentials types to provide explicit control over how credential information is serialized. This approach allows developers to implement custom stringification logic that avoids exposing sensitive data in error messages while maintaining the functionality of their credentials implementation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1562.001 - "Disable or Modify Tools" and T1078 - "Valid Accounts" since it enables unauthorized access through credential exposure. Security teams should also implement log monitoring and access controls to detect potential credential exposure and ensure that sensitive information is not inadvertently logged in any system components.