# CVE-2023-41887: Remote Code exec in project import with mysql jdbc url attack

> Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server via malicious JDBC URLs during project import in OpenRefine.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Sep 2023
- **Updated:** 25 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2023-41887, GHSA-p3r5-x3hr-gpg5, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-41887

## What is CVE-2023-41887?

CVE-2023-41887 is a critical code injection vulnerability in OpenRefine, published on 15 Sep 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenRefine is a powerful free, open source tool for working with messy data. Prior to version 3.7.5, a remote code execution vulnerability allows any unauthenticated user to execute code on the server. Version 3.7.5 has a patch for this issue.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-41887?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.openrefine:database. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.openrefine:database` | Maven | All versions | 3.7.5 |
| `org.openrefine:database` | Maven | All versions | 3.7.5 |

Products: Openrefine Openrefine.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-41887?

Upgrade org.openrefine:database to 3.7.5 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-41887 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-41887 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in OpenRefine

- [CVE-2024-47878](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-47878/): Reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) in GData extension (authorized.vt) (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2024-47880](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-47880/): OpenRefine has a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability from POST request in ExportRowsCommand (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2024-47881](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-47881/): OpenRefine's SQLite integration allows filesystem access, remote code execution (RCE) (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2024-47879](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-47879/): OpenRefine's PreviewExpressionCommand, which is eval, lacks protection against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) (high 7.6)
- [CVE-2024-23833](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-23833/): OpenRefine JDBC Attack Vulnerability (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-41887 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-41887 is a critical code injection vulnerability in OpenRefine, published on 15 Sep 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-41887 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.openrefine:database (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.7.5
- org.openrefine:database (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.7.5

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41887/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41887/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-41887
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-41887
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-41887

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41887/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.