CVE-2023-27481 MEDIUM

CVE-2023-27481: Extract password hashes through export querying in directus

Vendor Directus
Product directus
Weakness CWE-200 · Info exposure
Published March 7, 2023
Last update February 25, 2025

CVSS base score

4.3/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required Low
User interaction None
Confidentiality Low
Integrity None

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

What the vulnerability does

01Description

Directus is a real-time API and App dashboard for managing SQL database content. In versions prior to 9.16.0 users with read access to the `password` field in `directus_users` can extract the argon2 password hashes by brute forcing the export functionality combined with a `_starts_with` filter. This allows the user to enumerate the password hashes. Accounts cannot be taken over unless the hashes can be reversed which is unlikely with current hardware. This problem has been patched by preventing any hashed/concealed field to be filtered against with the `_starts_with` or other string operator in version 9.16.0. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may mitigate this issue by ensuring that no user has `read` access to the `password` field in `directus_users`.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

March 7, 2023 CVE published
February 25, 2025 Record updated