CVE-2023-23294 in Jetwave 3000
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2023
Korenix JetWave 4200 Series 1.3.0 and JetWave 3000 Series 1.6.0 are vulnerable to Command Injection. An attacker can modify the file_name parameter to execute commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23294 affects Korenix JetWave 4200 Series version 1.3.0 and JetWave 3000 Series version 1.6.0 network appliances, representing a critical command injection flaw that allows unauthorized remote execution of arbitrary commands with root privileges. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the file_name parameter handling mechanism, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to bypass authentication and authorization controls. The affected devices operate within industrial network infrastructure environments where they typically serve as critical communication gateways between operational technology and information technology systems, making their compromise particularly dangerous for industrial control systems and critical infrastructure sectors.
The technical flaw manifests through improper parameter validation where the file_name input is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious command sequences that are subsequently executed with the highest privileges available on the system. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 which categorizes command injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. The root privilege escalation occurs because the vulnerable application runs with elevated permissions, typically necessary for system administration tasks, but the insecure coding practices allow attackers to leverage this privilege for arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability exists in the device's web interface or API endpoints that handle file operations, where user-supplied parameters are concatenated into system calls without proper input filtering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to represent a severe threat to industrial network security and operational continuity. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected device, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt critical network services. The implications are particularly severe in industrial environments where these devices often serve as gateways between production systems and enterprise networks, potentially allowing lateral movement attacks that could compromise entire industrial control networks. This vulnerability could facilitate supply chain attacks or advanced persistent threats where adversaries establish long-term access to industrial infrastructure, impacting safety-critical systems and potentially causing physical damage to equipment or processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23294 should prioritize immediate vendor firmware updates and patches that address the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices to only authorized administrative personnel and establish strict firewall rules that restrict external access to administrative interfaces. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial network infrastructure. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should maintain detailed logs of administrative activities for forensic analysis. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial software development, emphasizing the need for input validation, output encoding, and privilege separation in network appliances handling critical infrastructure communications.