CVE-2023-27409 in SCALANCE LPE9403
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (All versions < V2.1). A path traversal vulnerability was found in the `deviceinfo` binary via the `mac` parameter. This could allow an authenticated attacker with access to the SSH interface on the affected device to read the contents of any file named `address`.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-27409 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Siemens SCALANCE LPE9403 industrial network devices, specifically affecting all versions prior to V2.1. This issue resides within the deviceinfo binary component and is triggered through the mac parameter, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file access paths, allowing malicious actors to exploit the device's file system through authenticated SSH sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker leverages the mac parameter in the deviceinfo binary to traverse file paths and access arbitrary files named address. This path traversal mechanism bypasses normal file system access controls and allows for unauthorized reading of sensitive system files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a Path Traversal attack, where the attacker can manipulate input parameters to access files outside the intended directory structure. The specific nature of the flaw allows for reading files that are typically protected from unauthorized access, potentially exposing system configuration data, network settings, or other sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system components that could be used for further exploitation or system compromise. Industrial environments utilizing SCALANCE LPE9403 devices face significant risk from this vulnerability, as the attackers can potentially extract network configuration details, device identifiers, or other information that could be leveraged for network reconnaissance. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker would need valid credentials to access the SSH interface, but this requirement does not adequately protect against insider threats or credential compromise scenarios that are common in industrial environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided firmware update to version 2.1 or later, which addresses the path traversal vulnerability in the deviceinfo binary. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit SSH access to only authorized personnel, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous file access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1083 for File and Directory Discovery, indicating that attackers could use this flaw to establish persistent access and conduct reconnaissance activities. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems and regular security audits can help identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain operational security for industrial control systems.