CVE-2023-4065: Improper Output Neutralization for Logs in Red Hat RHEL-8 based Middleware Containers
A flaw was found in Red Hat AMQ Broker Operator, where it displayed a password defined in ActiveMQArtemisAddress CR, shown in plain text in the Operator Log. This flaw allows an authenticated local attacker to access information outside of their permissions.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2023-4065 is a vulnerability identified in the Red Hat AMQ Broker Operator component, which is part of middleware container solutions based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL-8). The flaw arises from improper output neutralization for logs (CWE-117), where sensitive information such as passwords defined in the ActiveMQArtemisAddress Custom Resource (CR) is logged in plaintext within the Operator logs. This logging behavior exposes sensitive credentials to any user or process with access to these logs. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have authenticated local access with limited privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction is necessary (UI:N). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the confidentiality impact (C:H) without affecting integrity or availability. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the component itself. Although no public exploits are known, the exposure of plaintext passwords in logs can facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation if an attacker gains local access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure logging practices, especially in middleware environments where sensitive configuration data is handled. Red Hat has published the vulnerability details but no patch links are currently provided, indicating that remediation may be pending or in progress.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-4065 is the potential leakage of sensitive credentials through operator logs, which can compromise confidentiality. Middleware containers are often used in enterprise integration, messaging, and critical application infrastructure, so exposure of passwords could enable attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within internal networks. This risk is heightened in environments with multiple tenants or shared infrastructure where local authenticated users may have limited but non-zero access. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but can undermine trust in middleware security and complicate compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Organizations operating in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and government services, which rely heavily on Red Hat middleware, may face increased risk of targeted attacks exploiting this flaw. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation once details become widely known.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2023-4065, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict access to operator logs strictly to trusted administrators and processes to minimize exposure of plaintext passwords. 2) Audit existing logs for any sensitive information leakage and securely purge or redact such data where feasible. 3) Monitor local authenticated user activities to detect unauthorized access attempts or suspicious behavior related to middleware components. 4) Apply principle of least privilege to limit which users can define or modify ActiveMQArtemisAddress CRs and access operator logs. 5) Stay updated with Red Hat advisories and promptly apply patches or updates once released to address this vulnerability. 6) Consider implementing centralized secure logging solutions that mask or encrypt sensitive data before storage. 7) Review and enhance logging configurations to avoid logging sensitive information in plaintext in the future. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls and proactive log management tailored to the middleware environment.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden
CVE-2023-4065: Improper Output Neutralization for Logs in Red Hat RHEL-8 based Middleware Containers
Description
A flaw was found in Red Hat AMQ Broker Operator, where it displayed a password defined in ActiveMQArtemisAddress CR, shown in plain text in the Operator Log. This flaw allows an authenticated local attacker to access information outside of their permissions.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2023-4065 is a vulnerability identified in the Red Hat AMQ Broker Operator component, which is part of middleware container solutions based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL-8). The flaw arises from improper output neutralization for logs (CWE-117), where sensitive information such as passwords defined in the ActiveMQArtemisAddress Custom Resource (CR) is logged in plaintext within the Operator logs. This logging behavior exposes sensitive credentials to any user or process with access to these logs. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have authenticated local access with limited privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction is necessary (UI:N). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the confidentiality impact (C:H) without affecting integrity or availability. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the component itself. Although no public exploits are known, the exposure of plaintext passwords in logs can facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation if an attacker gains local access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure logging practices, especially in middleware environments where sensitive configuration data is handled. Red Hat has published the vulnerability details but no patch links are currently provided, indicating that remediation may be pending or in progress.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-4065 is the potential leakage of sensitive credentials through operator logs, which can compromise confidentiality. Middleware containers are often used in enterprise integration, messaging, and critical application infrastructure, so exposure of passwords could enable attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within internal networks. This risk is heightened in environments with multiple tenants or shared infrastructure where local authenticated users may have limited but non-zero access. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but can undermine trust in middleware security and complicate compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Organizations operating in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and government services, which rely heavily on Red Hat middleware, may face increased risk of targeted attacks exploiting this flaw. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation once details become widely known.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2023-4065, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict access to operator logs strictly to trusted administrators and processes to minimize exposure of plaintext passwords. 2) Audit existing logs for any sensitive information leakage and securely purge or redact such data where feasible. 3) Monitor local authenticated user activities to detect unauthorized access attempts or suspicious behavior related to middleware components. 4) Apply principle of least privilege to limit which users can define or modify ActiveMQArtemisAddress CRs and access operator logs. 5) Stay updated with Red Hat advisories and promptly apply patches or updates once released to address this vulnerability. 6) Consider implementing centralized secure logging solutions that mask or encrypt sensitive data before storage. 7) Review and enhance logging configurations to avoid logging sensitive information in plaintext in the future. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls and proactive log management tailored to the middleware environment.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2023-08-01T18:02:17.631Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68e8557bba0e608b4fb1ee8f
Added to database: 10/10/2025, 12:38:19 AM
Last enriched: 10/10/2025, 12:56:20 AM
Last updated: 10/16/2025, 2:41:51 PM
Views: 5
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