CVE-2023-47640 [Medium] | Security Vulnerability in Datahub

DataHub is an open-source metadata platform. The HMAC signature for DataHub Frontend sessions was being signed using a SHA-1 HMAC with the frontend secret key. SHA1 with a 10 byte key can be brute forced using sufficient resources (i.e. state level actors with large computational capabilities). DataHub Frontend was utilizing the Play LegacyCookiesModule with default settings which utilizes a SHA1 HMAC for signing. This is compounded by using a shorter key length than recommended by default for the signing key for the randomized secret value. An authenticated attacker (or attacker who has otherwise obtained a session token) could crack the signing key for DataHub and obtain escalated privileges by generating a privileged session cookie. Due to key length being a part of the risk, deployments should update to the latest helm chart and rotate their session signing secret. All deployments using the default helm chart configurations for generating the Play secret key used for signing are affected by this vulnerability. Version 0.11.1 resolves this vulnerability. All users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

#	Date	Old EPSS score	New EPSS score	Delta (New - Old)
1	2023-11-23	0.04%	0.05%	+0.01%
2	2023-11-15	—	0.04%	—

Date

Old EPSS score

New EPSS score

Delta (New - Old)

2023-11-23

0.04%

0.05%

+0.01%

2023-11-15

—

0.04%

—

Base score	Version	Severity	Vector	Exploitability	Impact	Score source
6.4	3.1	MEDIUM	`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L` Click to expand Attack vector (AV:N) Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine. Attack complexity (AC:H) Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work. Privileges required (PR:L) A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin. User interaction (UI:N) Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping. Scope (S:U) Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems. Confidentiality (C:L) Some sensitive info could get out, but not a total data dump. Integrity (I:H) They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt. Availability (A:L) Might cause slowdowns, glitches, or partial disruption—not a full brick.	1.6	4.7	[email protected]
8.8	3.1	HIGH	`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H` Click to expand Attack vector (AV:N) Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine. Attack complexity (AC:L) Once they can reach the bug, pulling it off is straightforward—no weird race conditions or rare setup. Privileges required (PR:L) A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin. User interaction (UI:N) Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping. Scope (S:U) Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems. Confidentiality (C:H) Serious risk that confidential data gets exposed in a big way. Integrity (I:H) They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt. Availability (A:H) Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.	2.8	5.9	[email protected]

Base score

Version

Severity

Vector

Exploitability

Impact

Score source

6.4

3.1

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L Click to expand

Attack vector (AV:N): Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine.
Attack complexity (AC:H): Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:L): A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:N): Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U): Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:L): Some sensitive info could get out, but not a total data dump.
Integrity (I:H): They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt.
Availability (A:L): Might cause slowdowns, glitches, or partial disruption—not a full brick.

1.6

4.7

[email protected]

8.8

3.1

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Click to expand

Attack vector (AV:N): Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine.
Attack complexity (AC:L): Once they can reach the bug, pulling it off is straightforward—no weird race conditions or rare setup.
Privileges required (PR:L): A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:N): Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U): Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:H): Serious risk that confidential data gets exposed in a big way.
Integrity (I:H): They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt.
Availability (A:H): Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.

2.8

5.9

[email protected]

Affected software / configurations for CVE-2023-47640

Vendor	Product	Version	Raw CPE
datahub_project	datahub	< 0.11.1	cpe:2.3:a:datahub_project:datahub::::::::

References for CVE-2023-47640

URL	Tags
https://github.com/datahub-project/datahub/security/advisories/GHSA-fg9x-wvqw-6gmw	Third Party Advisory

URL

CVE-2023-47640 | Insecure Use of HMAC-SHA1 For Session Signing in datahub

Exploit prediction scoring system (EPSS) score for CVE-2023-47640

Common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) metrics for CVE-2023-47640

Weakness enumeration for CVE-2023-47640

Affected software / configurations for CVE-2023-47640

References for CVE-2023-47640