CVE-2023-0862 in NetModule NSRW
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2023
The NetModule NSRW web administration interface is vulnerable to path traversals, which could lead to arbitrary file uploads and deletion. By uploading malicious files to the web root directory, authenticated users could gain remote command execution with elevated privileges. This issue affects NSRW: from 4.3.0.0 before 4.3.0.119, from 4.4.0.0 before 4.4.0.118, from 4.6.0.0 before 4.6.0.105, from 4.7.0.0 before 4.7.0.103. The issue affects NSRW packaged by Phoenix Contact routers: from 4.6.72.0 before 4.6.72.101, from 4.6.73.0 before 4.6.73.101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2023
The NetModule NSRW web administration interface presents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2023-0862 that stems from improper input validation and inadequate path traversal controls within its file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability exists in multiple version ranges of the NSRW software platform, specifically affecting versions from 4.3.0.0 before 4.3.0.119, 4.4.0.0 before 4.4.0.118, 4.6.0.0 before 4.6.0.105, 4.7.0.0 before 4.7.0.103, along with specific router versions from 4.6.72.0 before 4.6.72.101 and 4.6.73.0 before 4.6.73.101. The flaw manifests through insufficient sanitization of user-supplied file paths, allowing authenticated users to manipulate directory traversal sequences that bypass normal file access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a predictable pattern that leverages the underlying weakness in path resolution logic. Attackers can craft malicious file upload requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that enable them to write files to arbitrary locations within the web root directory structure. This path traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file access manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to upload malicious payloads that can be executed with elevated privileges.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, creating a complete compromise scenario for affected systems. Once an authenticated user successfully exploits the path traversal flaw, they can upload malicious files to the web root directory, potentially including web shells, backdoors, or other malicious executables. These uploaded files can then be executed with the privileges of the web server process, which typically operates with elevated permissions. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability essentially transforms a limited authenticated access point into a full system compromise vector, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is required.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant as it affects both the core NSRW software platform and the specific router implementations packaged by Phoenix Contact. This broad scope means that organizations using these devices across their network infrastructure face potential exposure, particularly in industrial control systems and embedded network environments where such devices are commonly deployed. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates that it has persisted across different software releases, suggesting that the underlying architectural flaw was not properly addressed during development cycles. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented, as the ability to execute commands with elevated privileges significantly increases the potential for lateral movement and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the web administration interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, monitoring file upload activities for anomalous behavior, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in environments where embedded systems handle user-supplied data. Organizations should consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network components, as the presence of one such vulnerability often indicates potential for similar issues elsewhere in the system architecture.