CVE-2023-2385 in SRX5308
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2023
A vulnerability was found in Netgear SRX5308 up to 4.3.5-3. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file scgi-bin/platform.cgi?page=ike_policies.htm of the component Web Management Interface. The manipulation of the argument IpsecIKEPolicy.IKEPolicyName leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-227663. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2385 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Netgear SRX5308 firewall device, specifically affecting firmware versions up to 4.3.5-3. This security weakness resides within the web management interface component, particularly in the scgi-bin/platform.cgi script that handles the page parameter pointing to ike_policies.htm. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker manipulates the IpsecIKEPolicy.IKEPolicyName argument, creating a condition where malicious script code can be injected and executed within the context of a victim's browser session. The issue is classified as problematic due to its remote exploitation capability, meaning an attacker can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the device. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, though in this case the attack vector is more direct through web interface manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to the firewall's administrative functions. When an authenticated user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised content, the injected scripts can execute in the user's browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify firewall configurations, or redirect users to malicious sites. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is available for use significantly increases the risk profile, as it removes the requirement for advanced technical skills to exploit the vulnerability. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts further compounds the issue, leaving users without official patches or mitigation guidance during the vulnerability's active window.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected firewall to untrusted networks. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to filter and monitor traffic to the affected web interface components, particularly focusing on filtering input parameters that could contain malicious script content. Network administrators should consider disabling the web management interface when not actively required, or restricting access to the interface through firewall rules that limit connections to specific trusted IP addresses. Additionally, regular firmware updates should be implemented as soon as vendor patches become available, though the lack of vendor response in this case may require organizations to consider alternative solutions such as third-party security monitoring tools or temporary workarounds. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date vulnerability intelligence feeds and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.