CVE-2023-5318 Exploit - Use of Hard-coded Credentials in GitHub Repository microweber/microweber Prior to 2. and How to Protect Yourself!

In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, vulnerabilities are discovered and exploited by malicious actors daily. One such vulnerability, CVE-2023-5318, is associated with the Microweber CMS (Content Management System) software. This vulnerability exposes the use of hard-coded credentials within the GitHub repository, making it a prime target for attacks. The good news is that the issue has been addressed in the latest Microweber 2. release. In this post, we will dive deep into the details of this vulnerability, its exploit, and how you can protect yourself from it.

CVE ID: CVE-2023-5318

Affected Component: microweber/microweber (GitHub Repository)

Affected Versions: Prior to 2.

Vulnerability Type: CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials)

Original References

1. Microweber GitHub Repository: https://github.com/microweber/microweber
2. CVE-2023-5318 NVD Record: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5318 (Placeholder Link)
3. Microweber Official Website: https://microweber.com/

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability, CVE-2023-5318, is primarily concerned with the use of hard-coded credentials within the GitHub repository of Microweber CMS. This restriction allows cybercriminals to potentially exploit these hardcoded credentials, leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. The developers of Microweber were quick to acknowledge the vulnerability and release a new version (2.) that addresses this issue.

Code Snippet

The following code snippet demonstrates an instance of hard-coded credentials within the Microweber repository. It shows a PHP file with a hard-coded username and password in the database configuration section. This code snippet can give attackers an idea of where to look for sensitive information. Please note that this is just an example and not from the actual codebase.

<?php
// Example of hard-coded credentials in a configuration file
$config = array(
    'database' => array(
        'username' => 'hardcoded_username', // Hard-coded username
        'password' => 'hardcoded_password', // Hard-coded password
        'host' => 'localhost',
        'port' => 3306,
        'database_name' => 'some_database',
    ),
);
?>

Workarounds and Fixes

If you are using a version of Microweber CMS prior to 2., the first and foremost step you should take is to update your software to the latest version immediately. Microweber 2. has been released with several bug fixes and enhancements that address this vulnerability.

Backup your website's files and database to prevent data loss during the update process.

2. Download the latest Microweber release (version 2. or later) at https://microweber.com/download

Replace your old Microweber files with the new ones on your web server.

4. Run the software update script by navigating to your website's URL followed by "/update".

For example: https://your-website.com/update

Conclusion

CVE-2023-5318 is a critical vulnerability that exposes the use of hardcoded credentials within the Microweber GitHub repository. It is crucial that you take the necessary steps to update your installation and protect yourself from potential threats. Always keep your software up-to-date and apply security patches as soon as they become available to minimize the chances of getting exploited due to known vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 09/30/2023 01:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/02/2023 20:13:00 UTC