HIGH CVSS 8.1
Published: 2023-08-07

CVE-2023-38704

datadoghq import-in-the-middle Security Advisory (CVE-2023-38704)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2023-38704 impacting datadoghq import-in-the-middle. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 8.1 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
import-in-the-middle is a module loading interceptor specifically for ESM modules. The import-in-the-middle loader works by generating a wrapper module on the fly. The wrapper uses the module specifier to load the original module and add some wrapping code. Prior to version 1.4.2, it allows for remote code execution in cases where an application passes user-supplied input directly to the `import()` function. This vulnerability has been patched in import-in-the-middle version 1.4.2. Some workarounds are available. Do not pass any user-supplied input to `import()`. Instead, verify it against a set of allowed values. If using import-in-the-middle, directly or indirectly, and support for EcmaScript Modules is not needed, ensure that no options are set, either via command-line or the `NODE_OPTIONS` environment variable, that would enable loader hooks.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
High (AC:H)
Depends on race conditions or environment
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Changed (S:C)
Impacts components beyond caller authority
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
Low (I:L)
Partial data modification possible
Availability
Low (A:L)
Partial service performance degradation

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product datadoghq / import-in-the-middle
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-20

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2023-38704 impacting datadoghq import-in-the-middle.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2023-38704.yaml
id: cve-2023-38704

info:
  name: datadoghq import-in-the-middle - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2023-38704 affecting datadoghq import-in-the-middle.
    Evaluation: import-in-the-middle is a module loading interceptor specifically for ESM modules. The import-in-the-middle loader works by generating a wrapper modul...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2023-38704
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L
    cvss-score: 8.1
    cve-id: CVE-2023-38704
    cwe-id: CWE-20
  tags: cve,cve-2023-38704,datadoghq,import-in-the-middle,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "import-in-the-middle"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2023-38704.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2023-38704
# Target: datadoghq import-in-the-middle | CVSS: 8.1 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2023-38704 (datadoghq import-in-the-middle)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against datadoghq import-in-the-middle scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2023-38704.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2023-38704
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install import-in-the-middle 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade import-in-the-middle 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update import-in-the-middle

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i import-in-the-middle 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i import-in-the-middle

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2023-38704 in datadoghq import-in-the-middle?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update datadoghq import-in-the-middle packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2023-38704?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2023-38704?

CVE-2023-38704 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 8.1 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
8.1
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2023-38704
Weakness CWE-20
Vendor datadoghq
Product import-in-the-middle
Published 2023-08-07
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L