CVE-2023-3628 identifies a security vulnerability in Red Hat Data Grid version 8.4.4, specifically within the Infinispan REST API's bulk read endpoints. The core issue is a missing critical step in the authentication process where the system fails to properly evaluate user permissions before allowing bulk read operations. This flaw permits an authenticated user with limited privileges to retrieve data that should be outside their authorized access scope. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction, and it does not require elevated privileges beyond authentication. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the high confidentiality impact, as unauthorized data disclosure can occur. However, integrity and availability are not affected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability represents a significant risk for data leakage in environments using Red Hat Data Grid 8.4.4. The lack of proper permission checks in bulk read endpoints suggests a design or implementation oversight in the REST API's access control mechanisms. Organizations relying on this product for distributed caching or data grid services should be aware of the potential for unauthorized data exposure through these endpoints.

For European organizations, the primary impact is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential data managed within Red Hat Data Grid 8.4.4 environments. This could affect sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where data confidentiality is paramount. The vulnerability could lead to compliance violations under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. Although the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability, the breach of confidentiality can undermine trust, cause reputational damage, and potentially lead to financial penalties. Organizations using Red Hat Data Grid in multi-tenant or shared environments are particularly at risk, as users with limited privileges might access data belonging to other tenants. The remote exploitability without user interaction increases the risk of automated or scripted attacks if the REST API is exposed to untrusted networks. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate but tangible threat to data security in European enterprises relying on this technology.

1. Apply official patches or updates from Red Hat as soon as they become available to address the permission evaluation flaw in the REST bulk read endpoints. 2. Until patches are deployed, restrict access to the Red Hat Data Grid REST API by implementing network-level controls such as firewalls, VPNs, or IP whitelisting to limit exposure to trusted users only. 3. Enforce strict authentication and authorization policies, ensuring that only necessary users have access to the REST API and that their permissions are correctly configured and regularly audited. 4. Implement monitoring and logging of REST API access to detect unusual bulk read operations or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways that can enforce additional access controls and rate limiting on REST endpoints. 6. Review and harden the configuration of Red Hat Data Grid deployments, disabling unnecessary endpoints or features that are not in use. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on API security to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.