CVE-2023-0104 in EasyBuilder Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 02/22/2023
The listed versions for Weintek EasyBuilder Pro are vulnerable to a ZipSlip attack caused by decompiling a malicious project file. This may allow an attacker to gain control of the user’s computer or gain access to sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0104 affects Weintek EasyBuilder Pro software versions that are susceptible to a ZipSlip attack during the decompression of malicious project files. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits improper handling of archive file contents during the extraction process. The vulnerability stems from the software's failure to adequately validate file paths within compressed archives, allowing attackers to manipulate the extraction destination of files. When users open malicious project files, the software attempts to decompress archive contents without proper sanitization of path references, creating opportunities for arbitrary file placement on the victim's system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with the common ZipSlip attack pattern where attackers craft malicious archive files containing specially crafted path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in their file entries. These sequences can cause the decompression process to write files outside of the intended target directory, potentially overwriting system-critical files or placing malicious executables in privileged locations. The flaw exists at the file extraction layer within the Weintek EasyBuilder Pro application, specifically in how it processes compressed project files that contain embedded archive content. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of path traversal attacks and can be classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for system compromise. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system control, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. In industrial control environments where Weintek EasyBuilder Pro is commonly deployed, this vulnerability poses significant risks to operational technology infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt critical processes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The attack requires minimal user interaction since opening a malicious project file is sufficient to trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open project files from unknown sources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file access permissions for the EasyBuilder Pro application, disabling automatic decompression of unknown project files, and establishing strict file validation procedures before opening any project files. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file transfers can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Users should be trained to avoid opening project files from untrusted sources, and organizations should maintain updated software versions that address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial automation software and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and initial access through malicious file execution, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies in operational technology environments.