CVE-2023-41266 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows versions prior to the August 2023 IR and corresponding patch levels (May 2023 Patch 3 and earlier, February 2023 Patch 7 and earlier, November 2022 Patch 10 and earlier, August 2022 Patch 12 and earlier). This vulnerability enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to generate an anonymous session within the Qlik Sense environment. By exploiting this flaw, the attacker can transmit crafted HTTP requests to unauthorized internal endpoints, bypassing normal access controls. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of path inputs, allowing traversal outside intended directories. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, reflecting high severity due to network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and a significant impact on confidentiality (high) and integrity (low). While availability impact is not noted, unauthorized access to sensitive data or internal services could lead to data leakage or partial data manipulation. The vulnerability affects multiple patch versions, but has been addressed in the August 2023 IR, May 2023 Patch 4, February 2023 Patch 8, November 2022 Patch 11, and August 2022 Patch 13. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a critical risk for organizations relying on Qlik Sense for business intelligence and data analytics.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-41266 can be significant, especially for those using Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows in critical data analytics and decision-making processes. The ability for an unauthenticated attacker to create anonymous sessions and access unauthorized endpoints can lead to exposure of sensitive business intelligence data, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Confidentiality breaches could result in intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and regulatory penalties. Partial integrity loss may affect data accuracy and trustworthiness, undermining operational decisions. Since Qlik Sense is often integrated with other enterprise systems, this vulnerability could serve as a pivot point for further attacks. The lack of required authentication and user interaction increases the risk of automated exploitation attempts. Organizations in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and government, which heavily rely on data analytics platforms, are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high CVSS score underscores the urgency of patching.

European organizations should immediately verify their Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows version and patch level, prioritizing upgrades to the August 2023 IR or later patches (May 2023 Patch 4, February 2023 Patch 8, November 2022 Patch 11, August 2022 Patch 13). Network segmentation should be enforced to restrict access to Qlik Sense management interfaces and internal endpoints, limiting exposure to untrusted networks. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts and anomalous HTTP requests targeting Qlik Sense servers. Monitor logs for unusual anonymous session creation or unexpected HTTP requests to internal endpoints. Employ strict input validation and ensure that any reverse proxies or gateways sanitize requests before forwarding. Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focused on Qlik Sense environments. Additionally, review and tighten access controls and authentication mechanisms around Qlik Sense to reduce the attack surface. Establish an incident response plan specific to Qlik Sense compromise scenarios. Finally, maintain awareness of vendor advisories and threat intelligence updates related to this vulnerability.