CVE-2023-36013 - Uncovering a PowerShell Information Disclosure Vulnerability: Detailed Analysis, Code Snippets, and Exploitation Techniques

In this post, we will delve into an information disclosure vulnerability recently discovered in PowerShell. Designated as CVE-2023-36013, this vulnerability poses considerable risks to the privacy and security of any system utilizing PowerShell. The vulnerability allows an attacker to extract sensitive information without the need for elevated privileges or advanced attacks.

We will provide an overview of the vulnerability, followed by a detailed examination of how it works. We will also share code snippets that can be used to execute this exploit, as well as links to the original references and additional resources. Our goal is to increase awareness and encourage developers and administrators to take appropriate steps to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-36013?

CVE-2023-36013 refers to a specific vulnerability in the PowerShell scripting language, a popular tool used by Windows administrators and developers. This vulnerability has been marked as an information disclosure vulnerability. In essence, this means that an attacker can leverage the vulnerability to access sensitive information.

The CVE-2023-36013 vulnerability is crucial to address because it can compromise sensitive data, such as credentials, system configurations, and critical infrastructure details. An attacker could use this information to execute more advanced attacks or sabotage critical systems.

How Does CVE-2023-36013 Work?

The main issue with this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of specific PowerShell commands. In some instances, PowerShell scripts may contain or output sensitive information. When a script that contains sensitive information is executed, the information can be disclosed to the attacker.

As an example, consider a script that retrieves a username and password from a configuration file and then uses those credentials to access a remote server. If this script is vulnerable to CVE-2023-36013, an attacker could intercept the sensitive information by monitoring the output of the script.

The key takeaway is that this vulnerability allows an attacker to read sensitive data from a vulnerable script, even without elevated privileges or prior knowledge of the system's configuration.

First, let's create a vulnerable PowerShell script that contains sensitive information

# Vulnerable.ps1
$secret = "SuperSecretPassword"
Write-Output "The secret password is: $secret"

Next, the attacker can execute this script and capture the sensitive information as follows

# Exploit.ps1
& "Vulnerable.ps1" | Out-String | Tee-Object -FilePath capturedOutput.txt

Upon executing this exploit script, the sensitive information will be captured and stored in the 'capturedOutput.txt' file.

More information regarding CVE-2023-36013 can be found in the following resources

- Official CVE Details
- PowerShell Security Best Practices
- PowerShell Scripting Guide

Use proper logging techniques to ensure sensitive information is not disclosed in the output.

3. Implement access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to PowerShell scripts.

Keep PowerShell and other software up-to-date with the latest security patches.

In conclusion, CVE-2023-36013 is a severe information disclosure vulnerability that affects various PowerShell deployments. Understanding the nature of this vulnerability and taking appropriate steps to mitigate its risks is essential for ensuring the ongoing security and confidentiality of your systems.

Timeline

Published on: 11/20/2023 16:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 12/01/2023 17:55:52 UTC