CVE-2023-4782: Github.com/hashicorp/terraform Terraform Allows Arbitrary File Write Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-h626-pv66-hhm7
Share
CVSS 6.3
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-4782 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.3) terraform allows arbitrary file write vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Github.com/hashicorp/terraform libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves terraform allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.5.7.

CVE-2023-4782 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-4782
GHSA Identifier GHSA-h626-pv66-hhm7
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.3
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product Github.com/hashicorp/terraform
Package Ecosystem Go
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.3

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-4782

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/hashicorp/terraform dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

github.com/hashicorp/terraform fixed: 1.5.7 
Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/terraform to 1.5.7
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for github.com/hashicorp/terraform

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2023-4782, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/hashicorp/terraform:

inspect dependencies for github.com/hashicorp/terraform

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/hashicorp/terraform in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.5.7), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. In Github.com/hashicorp/terraform, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Terraform version 1.0.8 through 1.5.6 allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation if run on maliciously crafted Terraform configuration. This vulnerability is fixed in Terraform 1.5.7.

CVE-2023-4782 Affected Github.com/hashicorp/terraform Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.5.7
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
github.com/hashicorp/terraform
golang/github.com/hashicorp/terraform
Go
≥ 1.0.8
< 1.5.7
1.5.7

References

NVD — CVE-2023-4782 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4782
Github.com/hashicorp/terraform Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/pull/33745
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/commit/0f2314fb62193c4be94328cc026fcb7ec1e9b893
discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2023-27-ter... WEB
https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2023-27-terraform-allows-arbitrary-file-write-during-init-operation/58082
Github.com/hashicorp/terraform Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform
Github.com/hashicorp/terraform Release RELEASE
https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/releases/tag/v1.5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-4782?
CVE-2023-4782 is a security vulnerability in Github.com/hashicorp/terraform involving Terraform allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which Github.com/hashicorp/terraform versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.5.7 across affected packages: github.com/hashicorp/terraform.
What version fixes CVE-2023-4782?
Upgrading to 1.5.7 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is github.com/hashicorp/terraform affected?
Yes, github.com/hashicorp/terraform is affected in releases prior to 1.5.7. Upgrade your dependency to 1.5.7 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-4782?
CVE-2023-4782 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-4782?
CVE-2023-4782 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2023-4782?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for github.com/hashicorp/terraform'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-h626-pv66-hhm7",
  "modified" : "2023-09-08T19:43:48Z",
  "published" : "2023-09-08T18:30:29Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-4782" ],
  "summary" : "Terraform allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation",
  "details" : "Terraform version 1.0.8 through 1.5.6 allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation if run on maliciously crafted Terraform configuration. This vulnerability is fixed in Terraform 1.5.7.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/hashicorp/terraform"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "1.0.8"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.5.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4782"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/pull/33745"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/commit/0f2314fb62193c4be94328cc026fcb7ec1e9b893"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2023-27-terraform-allows-arbitrary-file-write-during-init-operation/58082"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/releases/tag/v1.5.7"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-09-08T19:43:48Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-09-08T18:15:07Z"
  }
}