CVE-2023-49093CWE-94

HtmlUnit vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via XSTL

Critical · published December 4, 2023

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
2%
Percentile
83.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A single crafted XSLT file can turn a routine visit to a webpage into a full-blown remote code execution nightmare! Think of it like getting a seemingly harmless package delivered to your door, but inside is a sneaky robot programmed to take over your home. The unpatched vulnerability in HtmlUnit allows harmful code to run just by navigating to an attacker's page. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on your server, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or even complete system compromise. The consequences could be absolutely devastating for any application using HtmlUnit, potentially exposing sensitive information and causing significant downtime.

Put simply

Think of it like getting a seemingly harmless package delivered to your door, but inside is a sneaky robot programmed to take over your home. The unpatched vulnerability in HtmlUnit allows harmful code to run just by navigating to an attacker's page. CVE-2023-49093 is a critical Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit, where an attacker can leverage XSLT processing while browsing a malicious webpage to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable system.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on your server, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or even complete system compromise. The consequences could be absolutely devastating for any application using HtmlUnit, potentially exposing sensitive information and causing significant downtime. Patch HtmlUnit to version 3.9.0 immediately to close this dangerous exposure. Additionally, review your web application’s interaction with external sites to bolster security. Routine audits and security checks can help catch potential vulnerabilities before they escalate. You've got this! Apply the patch and keep your systems secure — together, we can make the internet a safer place! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02358 · 83.6th percentile
Weakness
CWE-94 · Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Published
2023-12-04T04:47Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 04 DEC 04:47Z
    HtmlUnit vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via XSTL
    cvelistv5