CVE-2023-0636 in ASPECT Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2023
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in ABB Ltd. ASPECT®-Enterprise on ASPECT®-Enterprise, Linux (2CQG103201S3021, 2CQG103202S3021, 2CQG103203S3021, 2CQG103204S3021 modules), ABB Ltd. NEXUS Series on NEXUS Series, Linux (2CQG100102R2021, 2CQG100104R2021, 2CQG100105R2021, 2CQG100106R2021, 2CQG100110R2021, 2CQG100112R2021, 2CQG100103R2021, 2CQG100107R2021, 2CQG100108R2021, 2CQG100109R2021, 2CQG100111R2021, 2CQG100113R2021 modules), ABB Ltd. MATRIX Series on MATRIX Series, Linux (2CQG100102R1021, 2CQG100103R1021, 2CQG100104R1021, 2CQG100105R1021, 2CQG100106R1021 modules) allows Command Injection.This issue affects ASPECT®-Enterprise: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.0; NEXUS Series: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.0; MATRIX Series: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The CVE-2023-0636 vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw within ABB Ltd.'s industrial automation software platforms including ASPECT®-Enterprise, NEXUS Series, and MATRIX Series running on Linux environments. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically enables command injection attacks that can severely compromise the operational integrity of industrial control systems. The affected products span multiple hardware modules and software versions, indicating a widespread exposure across ABB's industrial automation portfolio. The vulnerability manifests when the software fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields that are subsequently processed without adequate sanitization or validation checks. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that bypass normal input validation mechanisms, allowing them to inject command sequences that get executed by the system's command processing engine. This command injection capability enables adversaries to perform actions such as executing arbitrary code, accessing system files, modifying configurations, or even gaining elevated privileges within the industrial control environment. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in industrial settings where these systems control critical infrastructure operations, as it can lead to unauthorized access to operational technology environments that are typically isolated from traditional IT networks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems that rely on ABB's automation platforms for process control and monitoring. The affected versions span multiple product lines including ASPECT®-Enterprise, NEXUS Series, and MATRIX Series, suggesting that organizations across various industrial sectors may be exposed to this threat. The command injection capability allows attackers to potentially disrupt industrial processes, manipulate control parameters, or gain persistent access to critical control systems. The vulnerability's presence in versions prior to 3.07.0 for ASPECT®-Enterprise and 3.07.1 for MATRIX Series indicates that a substantial number of deployed systems may be vulnerable, particularly in legacy installations that have not received recent security updates.
Organizations affected by CVE-2023-0636 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by ABB, implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of their industrial control environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.003 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell," though the specific implementation in industrial environments may require additional defensive measures. Security teams should also consider implementing input validation controls at multiple layers including application-level filters, network-based intrusion detection systems, and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a command injection issue aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's core functions, particularly Protect and Detect, emphasizing the need for robust input validation controls and continuous monitoring of industrial control system environments to identify potential exploitation attempts.