CVE-2023-27978 in IGSS Data Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2023
A CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability exists in the Dashboard module that could cause an interpretation of malicious payload data, potentially leading to remote code execution when an attacker gets the user to open a malicious file. Affected Products: IGSS Data Server(IGSSdataServer.exe)(V16.0.0.23040 and prior), IGSS Dashboard(DashBoard.exe)(V16.0.0.23040 and prior), Custom Reports(RMS16.dll)(V16.0.0.23040 and prior).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-27978 represents a critical deserialization flaw classified under CWE-502, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of deserializing untrusted data within software applications. This weakness manifests in the IGSS Dashboard module and affects multiple components within the IGSS Data Server ecosystem, including the IGSSdataServer.exe, DashBoard.exe, and RMS16.dll executables. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize data during the deserialization process, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in versions 16.0.0.23040 and prior, indicating that organizations running these older iterations remain at significant risk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious payload files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, trigger the deserialization process. This process typically occurs when the application attempts to convert serialized data back into object form, but fails to verify the integrity and origin of the data being processed. The deserialization mechanism in question likely accepts serialized objects from user-controllable sources without adequate security checks, enabling attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. This creates a pathway for remote code execution, where attackers can potentially gain full control over the affected system and establish persistent access within the network environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The attack vector relies on social engineering tactics to convince users to open malicious files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be adequately trained to recognize suspicious file attachments or downloads. Organizations utilizing the affected IGSS products face significant risk of compromise, especially in industrial control systems or environments where these applications are used to manage critical infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving exploitation of remote services and execution through malicious files, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks that leverage the compromised system as a foothold for further infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected components to the latest available versions that address the deserialization flaw. Organizations must implement comprehensive security controls including network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, deployment of application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries, and enhanced user education programs to reduce the success rate of social engineering attacks. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization activities or attempts to access vulnerable components. The remediation process should include thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may be running older versions, along with implementation of automated patch management solutions to ensure continuous protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security audits to maintain defense-in-depth posture against exploitation attempts targeting similar deserialization weaknesses.