CVE-2023-49097 in Zitadel
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2023
ZITADEL is an identity infrastructure system. ZITADEL uses the notification triggering requests Forwarded or X-Forwarded-Host header to build the button link sent in emails for confirming a password reset with the emailed code. If this header is overwritten and a user clicks the link to a malicious site in the email, the secret code can be retrieved and used to reset the users password and take over his account. Accounts with MFA or Passwordless enabled can not be taken over by this attack. This issue has been patched in versions 2.41.6, 2.40.10 and 2.39.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-49097 affects ZITADEL, an identity infrastructure system that manages user authentication and authorization. This system employs email notifications for password reset procedures, where users receive emails containing links to confirm their password reset requests. The security flaw stems from how ZITADEL processes HTTP headers during the construction of these email links, specifically utilizing the Forwarded or X-Forwarded-Host headers to determine the base URL for the confirmation button. This approach creates a critical security gap when these headers can be manipulated by attackers, as they can redirect users to malicious domains while maintaining the appearance of legitimate password reset emails. The vulnerability represents a classic case of header manipulation that can lead to account takeover through credential compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of HTTP request headers within the email notification generation process. When users receive password reset emails, the system constructs clickable links using the Forwarded or X-Forwarded-Host headers to establish the proper domain context for the reset functionality. However, if an attacker can inject or modify these headers in the HTTP request chain, they can redirect the constructed links to malicious domains. This manipulation allows attackers to capture the secret codes embedded in the password reset process, enabling them to reset victims' passwords and gain unauthorized access to their accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the trust relationship between the email notification system and the URL construction logic, creating a path for attackers to intercept authentication tokens and credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on ZITADEL for identity management, as it directly enables account takeover attacks that can compromise user credentials and access privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform credential stuffing, password spraying, or direct account takeover operations by simply sending maliciously crafted emails with manipulated headers. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated at scale, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with large user bases. Users who click on the manipulated password reset links become unwitting participants in credential theft operations, potentially leading to broader security breaches within the affected systems. The vulnerability also creates a persistent risk as long as affected versions remain in use, with attackers able to maintain access to compromised accounts indefinitely.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks within the targeted organization's infrastructure. The attack can be combined with other techniques such as phishing campaigns or social engineering to increase success rates and create more convincing attack scenarios. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack chains that may involve privilege escalation or lateral movement once initial access is gained through account takeover. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as T1566 for social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts usage. The affected versions indicate that this was a known issue that required patching, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and monitoring for similar header manipulation vulnerabilities in other systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of patched versions 2.41.6, 2.40.10, and 2.39.9, as well as implementing additional security controls to prevent header manipulation. Organizations should enforce strict header validation mechanisms that do not rely on client-supplied Forwarded or X-Forwarded-Host headers for critical functionality. Implementing proper input sanitization and validation for all HTTP headers, particularly those used in URL construction, can prevent similar attacks. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and header filtering should be configured to reject or sanitize suspicious header values. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication or passwordless authentication for high-value accounts, as these protections remain effective against this specific attack vector. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include validation of header handling processes to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems.