CVE-2023-40050
Published: 31 October 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-40050 is a critical-severity Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in Chef Automate. Its CVSS base score is 9.9 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 4.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-40050 is a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Chef Automate versions up to and including 4.10.29. It stems from insufficient validation when users upload InSpec profiles through either the API or the web interface; a maliciously crafted profile supplied to the InSpec check command can cause arbitrary code to execute on the server. The flaw is tracked under CWE-94 and CWE-434 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.9.
An attacker who already possesses low-privileged credentials can exploit the issue over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation grants the ability to run arbitrary commands with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the changed scope indicates the compromise can affect resources beyond the Automate instance itself.
Progress Chef has published a Product Alert Bulletin and updated release notes that direct customers to apply the remediation contained in versions newer than 4.10.29. The current and peak EPSS score for the CVE is 0.1727; no material rise after disclosure is recorded in the available data.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-44657
Vulnerability details
Upload profile either through API or user interface in Chef Automate prior to and including version 4.10.29 using InSpec check command with maliciously crafted profile allows remote code execution.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Dangerous file uploads can be detonated in the chamber to determine malice before any production write or execution occurs.
Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.
Makes persistent code injection into loaded programs impossible when the executable image itself resides on hardware-protected read-only media.
Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.
Validates inputs used in dynamic code generation to block injected directives.
Directly prevents execution of attacker-supplied code written into data memory regions.
Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.