External risk intelligence

TeamCity Authentication Bypass Leading to Remote Code Execution.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2023-42793

A flaw in JetBrains TeamCity allows unauthorized execution of commands on the server, risking exposure of sensitive data and disruption of development pipelines. Affected organizations face potential compromise of their development environments.

4Halo Surface Signal

Missing Authentication

Jetbrains Teamcity

before 2023.05.4

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2023-42793

TeamCity is a CI/CD server that is commonly deployed as a web-based service. While often placed behind corporate firewalls, these servers are frequently accessible to remote development teams and integrate with internet-facing services, making them a common target for network-reachable exploitation in professional deployment environments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

JetBrains TeamCity is a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) server that facilitates software development workflows. A flaw in its authentication mechanisms could allow unauthorized access and execution of commands on the server. This could expose sensitive data, disrupt development pipelines, and potentially lead to further compromise of the development environment.

  • Vulnerable component: JetBrains TeamCity server
  • Core weakness: Authentication bypass
  • Main business impact: Unauthorized command execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

The vulnerability in TeamCity allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms. This bypass enables the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the TeamCity server. Once authenticated, the attacker can execute arbitrary code, leading to potential compromise of the server and its associated systems. This impact can extend to data theft, disruption of services, and the introduction of further malicious software.

  • Unauthenticated network access.
  • Attacker bypasses authentication.
  • Attacker gains server control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk due to an authentication bypass that enables remote code execution on TeamCity servers. Attackers can exploit this flaw without needing any prior access or credentials, potentially leading to widespread compromise. The ease of exploitation and severe impact make this a high-priority concern for affected organizations.

  • Attackers with low skill.
  • No access or conditions required.
  • High business risk, treat as urgent.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An organization utilizing JetBrains TeamCity should address a critical vulnerability that allows for unauthenticated remote code execution. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to business operations and data integrity. Immediate action is required to identify and protect affected systems.

  • Find exposed TeamCity servers.
  • Isolate or restrict access to TeamCity.
  • Apply vendor updates and verify.
  • Monitor for related activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is JetBrains TeamCity and its function in software development?

JetBrains TeamCity is a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) server that streamlines software development workflows. It automates building, testing, and deploying projects, enhancing the efficiency of development cycles.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2023-42793 represent, and what is its weakness class?

CVE-2023-42793 is an authentication bypass vulnerability, categorized under CWE-288. This weakness allows attackers to circumvent identity verification, potentially granting unauthorized access and actions on the server.

How does the authentication bypass in JetBrains TeamCity affect server security?

The authentication bypass vulnerability enables an unauthenticated attacker to gain unauthorized access to the TeamCity server. Once access is achieved, the attacker can execute arbitrary code, leading to potential compromise of the server and connected systems.

What is the relevance of CVE-2023-42793, considering it's a critical authentication bypass?

This vulnerability is highly relevant due to an authentication bypass enabling remote code execution on TeamCity servers. Exploitation requires no prior access or credentials, posing a high-priority risk for organizations.

What practical steps should organizations take to respond to the TeamCity vulnerability?

Organizations using JetBrains TeamCity must address the critical remote code execution vulnerability. This involves identifying exposed servers, isolating or restricting access, applying vendor updates, and monitoring for suspicious activity.

References

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

Sources: malpedia, threatActor