CVE-2023-43838 – An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in Perso... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-43838?

CVE-2023-43838 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in Personal Management System v1.4.64 allows attackers to upload malicious SVG files as user profile avatars, which can lead to remote code execution. This affects all users running the vulnerable version of this personal management software.

📋 TL;DR

An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in Personal Management System v1.4.64 allows attackers to upload malicious SVG files as user profile avatars, which can lead to remote code execution. This affects all users running the vulnerable version of this personal management software.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Personal Management System

Versions: v1.4.64 (specific version mentioned in CVE)

Operating Systems: All platforms where Personal Management System runs

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: The vulnerability exists in the avatar upload functionality specifically when SVG files are processed.

📦 What is this software?

Personal Management System by Personal Management System

View all CVEs affecting Personal Management System →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise through remote code execution, allowing attackers to steal data, install malware, or pivot to other systems.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers upload malicious SVG files to execute arbitrary code, potentially gaining shell access or compromising user data.

🟢

If Mitigated

If proper file upload validation is implemented, only legitimate image files are accepted, preventing code execution.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - If the application is exposed to the internet, attackers can directly exploit this vulnerability without network access.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers or compromised accounts could exploit this, but requires some level of access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires user authentication to access profile avatar upload functionality. SVG files can contain embedded scripts that execute when processed.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check GitHub repository for latest version

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/Volmarg/personal-management-system

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Backup your current installation
2. Download latest version from GitHub repository
3. Replace vulnerable files with patched version
4. Restart the application service

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable SVG uploads

all

Modify file upload validation to reject SVG files in avatar upload functionality

Modify SpecialAction.ts line 35 to add SVG to blocked file types

Implement file type validation

all

Add server-side validation to check file content, not just extensions

Implement MIME type checking and file signature validation

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict access to the application using network segmentation or firewall rules
Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block malicious file uploads

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if running Personal Management System v1.4.64 and examine SpecialAction.ts file for missing SVG validation

Check Version:

Check package.json or application version file for version number

Verify Fix Applied:

Test uploading SVG files to avatar functionality - should be rejected with proper validation

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual file uploads to avatar endpoints
SVG file upload attempts
Error logs related to file processing

Network Indicators:

POST requests to avatar upload endpoints with SVG content
Unusual outbound connections after file uploads

SIEM Query:

source="web_server" AND (uri="*avatar*" OR uri="*upload*") AND (file_ext="svg" OR content_type="image/svg+xml")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-43838

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-434

Published: October 4, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://www.w3.org/2000/svg Not Applicable
https://github.com/Volmarg Not Applicable
https://github.com/Volmarg/personal-management-system Product
https://github.com/Volmarg/personal-management-system/blob/39d3c0df641a5435f2028b37a27d26ba61a3b97b/src/assets/scripts/core/ui/DataProcessor/SpecialAction.ts#L35 Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/rootd4ddy/ Not Applicable
https://github.com/rootd4ddy/CVE-2023-43838 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
http://www.w3.org/2000/svg Not Applicable
https://github.com/Volmarg Not Applicable
https://github.com/Volmarg/personal-management-system Product
https://github.com/Volmarg/personal-management-system/blob/39d3c0df641a5435f2028b37a27d26ba61a3b97b/src/assets/scripts/core/ui/DataProcessor/SpecialAction.ts#L35 Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/rootd4ddy/ Not Applicable
https://github.com/rootd4ddy/CVE-2023-43838 Exploit,Third Party Advisory

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