CVE-2023-6267 is a vulnerability identified in the Red Hat build of Quarkus version 2.13.9.Final, a popular Java framework for building microservices and serverless applications. The flaw arises from the way JSON payloads are handled in REST resources secured via annotation-based security. Specifically, the JSON body is deserialized before the security constraints are evaluated and enforced. This premature deserialization means that potentially malicious JSON input is processed without prior authorization checks, exposing the application to risks such as unauthorized data access, injection attacks, or denial of service. This issue does not manifest when configuration-based security is used, as in that case, security constraints are applied before deserialization. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.6, reflecting its high severity due to network exploitability without any required privileges or user interaction, and its impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for applications relying on annotation-based security in Quarkus. The lack of patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation strategies to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-6267 can be significant, especially for those deploying Java microservices using Red Hat's Quarkus framework with annotation-based security. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation or corruption of application data, and potential service disruptions. This can affect industries reliant on secure and reliable microservices architectures, such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government services. The vulnerability's ability to be exploited remotely without authentication increases the risk of widespread attacks, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), financial losses, and reputational damage. Organizations with complex microservices environments may face challenges in quickly identifying and mitigating affected endpoints, increasing the window of exposure.

1. Transition from annotation-based security to configuration-based security in Quarkus applications, as the latter applies security constraints before deserialization, mitigating the vulnerability. 2. Monitor Red Hat and Quarkus official channels closely for patches or updates addressing CVE-2023-6267 and apply them promptly once available. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on JSON payloads at the API gateway or service mesh level to detect and block malformed or suspicious requests before they reach the application. 4. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAF) configured to detect anomalous deserialization patterns or unusual REST API usage. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing focusing on deserialization logic and security annotations to identify and remediate similar issues. 6. Increase logging and monitoring of REST endpoints to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 7. Educate development teams about secure deserialization practices and the risks of premature processing of untrusted input.