CVE-2023-2575 in EKI-1524
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2023
Advantech EKI-1524, EKI-1522, EKI-1521 devices through 1.21 are affected by a Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability, which can be triggered by authenticated users via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2023
The Advantech EKI-1524, EKI-1522, and EKI-1521 industrial network devices represent critical components in industrial automation and control systems where security vulnerabilities can have severe operational consequences. These devices are designed to facilitate communication between industrial networks and enterprise systems, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to disrupt industrial operations. The vulnerability classified as CVE-2023-2575 affects firmware versions through 1.21 and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation mechanisms within the device's web interface handling.
This stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability arises from inadequate bounds checking when processing POST requests sent to the device's web server. The flaw occurs when authenticated users submit crafted requests containing oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, meaning that an attacker with legitimate access rights could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the device. The CWE-121 classification applies here as the vulnerability involves stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space allocation leads to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to gain persistent access to industrial network infrastructure. Industrial control systems are increasingly interconnected, and compromising edge devices like the EKI series can provide attackers with footholds to move laterally within industrial networks. The ATT&CK technique T1078.004 related to valid accounts and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter can be leveraged by threat actors once they gain control of these devices. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of industrial network communications and could potentially disrupt critical manufacturing processes or cause unauthorized data exfiltration from industrial environments.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Advantech to address the buffer overflow condition, along with network segmentation to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual POST request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strictly enforced with principle of least privilege, ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrative access to these devices. Organizations should also implement intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify malformed HTTP requests targeting web interfaces of industrial equipment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial IoT devices and the need for regular security assessments of operational technology infrastructure.