CVE-2023-2138 - Use of Hard-coded Credentials in GitHub Repository Nuxtlabs/Github-Module Prior to 1.6.2: Breaking It Down

Hey folks! Today, we're going to discuss a Cybersecurity Vulnerability that was assigned the ID, CVE-2023-2138. This particular vulnerability relates to the use of hard-coded credentials within a popular GitHub Repository called Nuxtlabs/Github-Module. The issue existed in versions of the module prior to 1.6.2, so if you are using versions older than this, it's time to update!

The Vulnerability

The vulnerability stems from the use of hard-coded credentials within the source code of Nuxtlabs/Github-Module. Though hard-coding credentials may seem convenient to developers, it represents a significant security risk since it can grant attackers unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

You can refer to the CVE details on Mitre's official CVE page here.

The Code Snippet

To help you understand the vulnerability better, let's take a look at a code snippet from the affected Nuxtlabs/Github-Module:

const axios = require('axios');

const GITHUB_API_TOKEN = 'hardcoded_example_token';

axios.get('https://api.github.com/some/endpoint';, {
  headers: {
    'Authorization': token ${GITHUB_API_TOKEN}
  }
})
.then((response) => {
  // process the response data
})
.catch((error) => {
  console.error('Error fetching data from GitHub API:', error);
});

In this example, the GITHUB_API_TOKEN variable is set to a hard-coded value 'hardcoded_example_token'. This is a major no-no since it exposes the token to anyone who has access to the source code. If the token falls into the wrong hands, attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

The Exploit Details

In this section, we will provide a brief overview of how an attacker can exploit this particular vulnerability to their advantage.

1. First, an attacker identifies a GitHub repository that uses the affected Nuxtlabs/Github-Module with hard-coded credentials.
2. Next, the attacker would fork or clone the vulnerable repository to have a local copy of the codebase.
3. With a local copy in hand, the attacker could then search for the hard-coded credentials by examining the source code or using tools like grep or regular expressions.
4. Upon finding the credentials, the attacker could potentially use them to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, systems, or APIs under the control of the original repository owner.

Mitigating The Vulnerability

The good news is that this vulnerability has been addressed in version 1.6.2 of the Nuxtlabs/Github-Module. To mitigate this vulnerability, users are advised to update their installations to the latest, secure version.

To further minimize the risk of hard-coded credentials, developers should consider implementing the following best practices:

- Use environment variables, configuration files, or secure storage systems to store sensitive information such as API keys, database credentials, and tokens.

Regularly audit your codebase for hard-coded secrets, using automated tools where possible.

- Implement access control mechanisms to allow authorized personnel to update and manage the sensitive information securely.
- Adopt a principle of least privilege, granting applications and users the minimum permissions required to perform their tasks.

To conclude, remember that hard-coded credentials pose significant security risks to any application or module. We hope this post has provided more insight into CVE-2023-2138 and the dangers of using hardcoded credentials in your projects. By following best practices and updating your Nuxtlabs/Github-Module to version 1.6.2 or later, you can greatly reduce this risk. Stay safe and happy coding!

Timeline

Published on: 04/18/2023 01:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/27/2023 19:46:00 UTC