CVE-2023-44373
CVE-2023-44373
Weakness (CWE)
CVSS Vector
v4.0- Attack Vector
- Network
- Attack Complexity
- Low
- Attack Requirements
- None
- Privileges Required
- High
- User Interaction
- None
- Confidentiality (Vulnerable)
- High
- Integrity (Vulnerable)
- High
- Availability (Vulnerable)
- High
- Confidentiality (Subsequent)
- High
- Integrity (Subsequent)
- High
- Availability (Subsequent)
- High
Description
Affected devices do not properly sanitize an input field. This could allow an authenticated remote attacker with administrative privileges to inject code or spawn a system root shell. Follow-up of CVE-2022-36323.
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of CVE-2023-44373
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
CVE ID: CVE-2023-44373 CVSS Score: 9.1
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-44373 affects multiple models of Siemens RUGGEDCOM and SCALANCE devices. The issue arises from improper sanitization of an input field, which can be exploited by an authenticated remote attacker with administrative privileges to inject code or spawn a system root shell. This vulnerability is a follow-up to CVE-2022-36323, indicating a persistent issue in the input handling mechanism.
Severity Evaluation:
- CVSS Score: 9.1 (Critical)
- Impact: High
- Exploitability: High
The high CVSS score of 9.1 underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability. The potential for code injection or spawning a system root shell poses significant risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Authenticated Remote Attack: An attacker with administrative privileges can exploit the vulnerability remotely.
- Input Injection: The attacker can inject malicious code through unsanitized input fields.
Exploitation Methods:
- Code Injection: The attacker can inject arbitrary code to execute commands on the affected device.
- Spawning Root Shell: The attacker can spawn a system root shell, gaining full control over the device.
Exploitation Scenario:
- An attacker gains administrative access to the device through legitimate means or by exploiting another vulnerability.
- The attacker identifies the unsanitized input field and injects malicious code.
- The injected code executes, allowing the attacker to spawn a root shell and gain full control over the device.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Devices:
- RUGGEDCOM RM1224 LTE(4G) EU (6GK6108-4AM00-2BA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- RUGGEDCOM RM1224 LTE(4G) NAM (6GK6108-4AM00-2DA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M804PB (6GK5804-0AP00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M812-1 ADSL-Router (6GK5812-1AA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M812-1 ADSL-Router (6GK5812-1BA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M816-1 ADSL-Router (6GK5816-1AA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M816-1 ADSL-Router (6GK5816-1BA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M826-2 SHDSL-Router (6GK5826-2AB00-2AB2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M874-2 (6GK5874-2AA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M874-3 (6GK5874-3AA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M876-3 (6GK5876-3AA02-2BA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M876-3 (ROK) (6GK5876-3AA02-2EA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M876-4 (6GK5876-4AA10-2BA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M876-4 (EU) (6GK5876-4AA00-2BA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE M876-4 (NAM) (6GK5876-4AA00-2DA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE MUM853-1 (EU) (6GK5853-2EA00-2DA1) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE MUM856-1 (EU) (6GK5856-2EA00-3DA1) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE MUM856-1 (RoW) (6GK5856-2EA00-3AA1) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE S615 EEC LAN-Router (6GK5615-0AA01-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE S615 LAN-Router (6GK5615-0AA00-2AA2) (All versions < V8.0)
- SCALANCE WAB762-1 (6GK5762-1AJ00-6AA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM763-1 (6GK5763-1AL00-7DA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM763-1 (ME) (6GK5763-1AL00-7DC0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM763-1 (US) (6GK5763-1AL00-7DB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 (EU) (6GK5766-1GE00-7DA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 (ME) (6GK5766-1GE00-7DC0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 (US) (6GK5766-1GE00-7DB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 EEC (EU) (6GK5766-1GE00-7TA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 EEC (ME) (6GK5766-1GE00-7TC0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WAM766-1 EEC (US) (6GK5766-1GE00-7TB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUB762-1 (6GK5762-1AJ00-1AA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUB762-1 (6GK5762-1AJ00-2AA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM763-1 (6GK5763-1AL00-3AA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM763-1 (6GK5763-1AL00-3DA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM763-1 (US) (6GK5763-1AL00-3AB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM763-1 (US) (6GK5763-1AL00-3DB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM766-1 (EU) (6GK5766-1GE00-3DA0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM766-1 (ME) (6GK5766-1GE00-3DC0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
- SCALANCE WUM766-1 (US) (6GK5766-1GE00-3DB0) (All versions < V2.4.0)
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Patch Management: Upgrade affected devices to the latest firmware version (V8.0 or V2.4.0, depending on the device).
- Access Control: Restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only.
- Network Segmentation: Isolate affected devices from critical networks to limit potential damage.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
- Training: Provide training for staff on secure coding practices and input sanitization techniques.
5. Impact on Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenge of securing industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) environments. The potential for remote code execution and system compromise underscores the need for robust security measures in critical infrastructure. This incident serves as a reminder for organizations to prioritize patch management, access control, and continuous monitoring to protect against similar threats.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Type: Input Validation Error Affected Component: Input field handling mechanism Exploitability: Requires administrative privileges Mitigation: Upgrade to the latest firmware version
References:
- Siemens Security Advisory SSA-180704
- Siemens Security Advisory SSA-602936
- Siemens Security Advisory SSA-690517
- Siemens Security Advisory SSA-699386
- Siemens Security Advisory SSA-721642
Conclusion: CVE-2023-44373 is a critical vulnerability affecting multiple Siemens RUGGEDCOM and SCALANCE devices. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest firmware versions and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk. Continuous monitoring and regular security audits are essential to protect against similar threats in the future.