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CVE Record

CVE-2023-5123: Improper Path Sanitization in JSON Datasource Plugin

The JSON datasource plugin ( https://grafana.com/grafana/plugins/marcusolsson-json-datasource/ ) is a Grafana Labs maintained plugin for Grafana that allows for retrieving and processing JSON data from a remote endpoint (including a specific sub-path) configured by an administrator. Due to inadequate sanitization of the dashboard-supplied path parameter, it was possible to include path traversal characters (../) in the path parameter and send requests to paths on the configured endpoint outside the configured sub-path. This means that if the datasource was configured by an administrator to point at some sub-path of a domain (e.g. https://example.com/api/some_safe_api/ ), it was possible for an editor to create a dashboard referencing the datasource which issues queries containing path traversal characters, which would in turn cause the datasource to instead query arbitrary subpaths on the configured domain (e.g. https://example.com/api/admin_api/) . In the rare case that this plugin is configured by an administrator to point back at the Grafana instance itself, this vulnerability becomes considerably more severe, as an administrator browsing a maliciously configured panel could be compelled to make requests to Grafana administrative API endpoints with their credentials, resulting in the potential for privilege escalation, hence the high score for this vulnerability.

HighCVSS 8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Grafana JSON datasource plugin could let a dashboard editor bypass an administrator-configured URL sub-path and make the datasource request other paths on the same domain. If pointed back at Grafana, an admin viewing a malicious panel could unknowingly send privileged requests, creating a privilege escalation risk.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where Grafana is business-critical or dashboard editors are broadly trusted. The highest-risk case is self-referential Grafana datasource configuration because administrator browsing can become a privilege escalation path. Prioritize inventory and vendor-guided remediation.

Technical view

CVE-2023-5123 is CWE-22 path traversal in Grafana's JSON datasource plugin. The dashboard-supplied path parameter was not adequately sanitized, allowing ../ traversal beyond the configured datasource sub-path. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.0, with low attack complexity, required low privileges, and required user interaction.

Likely exposure

Exposure is specific to Grafana environments using marcusolsson-json-datasource 0.2.0. It requires an authenticated user with dashboard editing ability and a datasource configured to a sub-path. Impact is higher when the datasource points back to the Grafana instance itself.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation or KEV listing. Exploitation depends on dashboard editing access and a victim interaction scenario, especially an administrator loading a malicious panel. The issue can redirect requests only within the configured endpoint's domain, not arbitrary internet hosts.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports path traversal in a datasource path parameter, constrained to the configured endpoint's domain. The source bundle names affected version 0.2.0 and default unaffected status, but does not include patch-version details. Do not assume active exploitation from the provided evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Grafana's advisory for fixed plugin versions or official remediation guidance.
  • Inventory Grafana instances for the JSON datasource plugin version 0.2.0.
  • Avoid configuring this datasource to point back at Grafana itself.
  • Restrict dashboard editing rights to trusted users only.
  • Review datasource endpoint scoping and remove unnecessary sensitive same-domain paths.

Validation and detection

  • List installed Grafana plugins and identify marcusolsson-json-datasource versions.
  • Review JSON datasource configurations for sub-path scoped endpoints.
  • Check whether any datasource targets the Grafana instance itself.
  • Audit dashboards from editors for unusual path traversal patterns.
  • Review Grafana and upstream endpoint logs for unexpected same-domain sub-path requests.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

File access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-5123 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.15.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-5123Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Grafanagrafana-json-datasource0.2.0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-22 · source CWE mapping

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.