CVE-2023-25554 in StruxureWare Data Center Expert
Summary
by MITRE • 04/19/2023
A CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability exists that allows a local privilege escalation on the appliance when a maliciously crafted Operating System command is entered on the device.
Affected products: StruxureWare Data Center Expert (V7.9.2 and prior)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25554 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw classified under CWE-78, which enables local privilege escalation on affected StruxureWare Data Center Expert appliances. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary system commands with elevated privileges. The affected products include all versions of StruxureWare Data Center Expert through V7.9.2, making a substantial portion of the deployment base susceptible to exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests when the appliance processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation before incorporating it into operating system commands. This improper handling allows attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass normal access controls and execute with the privileges of the target system. The vulnerability specifically targets local users who already have access to the appliance, as the privilege escalation occurs within the context of the existing system access rather than requiring initial compromise through external attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute commands that would normally be restricted, potentially gaining root or administrative access to the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it enables full system compromise through local privilege escalation. An attacker with local access can exploit this flaw to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the appliance environment. The implications are particularly severe for data center management systems where these appliances typically operate as critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability undermines the security model of the appliance by allowing local users to bypass intended access controls and escalate their privileges to the highest system levels, potentially compromising the entire data center monitoring and management infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25554 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected StruxureWare Data Center Expert appliances to versions that address the OS command injection vulnerability. Organizations must implement strict input validation and sanitization measures across all user-facing interfaces to prevent command injection attacks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting local access to the appliance and implementing proper access controls. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all affected deployments and monitor for anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to these critical infrastructure components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of operating system commands through improper input handling, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST CSF or ISO 27001 standards.