CVE-2023-27979 in IGSS Data Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2023
A CWE-345: Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability exists in the Data Server that could allow the renaming of files in the IGSS project report directory, this could lead to denial of service when an attacker sends specific crafted messages to the Data Server TCP port. 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).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-27979 represents a critical weakness in the IGSS (Integrated Graphics and Supervisory System) data handling infrastructure, specifically targeting the Data Server component that processes project report directory operations. This flaw falls under CWE-345, which addresses insufficient verification of data authenticity, a category that encompasses failures in validating the integrity and origin of data before processing. The vulnerability manifests when the Data Server fails to properly authenticate or validate file renaming operations within the IGSS project report directory, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the system's file structure through crafted TCP communications. The affected software components include IGSS Data Server (IGSSdataServer.exe), IGSS Dashboard (DashBoard.exe), and Custom Reports (RMS16.dll), all versions up to and including V16.0.0.23040, indicating a widespread impact across the IGSS ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms within the Data Server's TCP port communication interface. When an attacker sends specifically crafted messages to the designated TCP port, the system processes these messages without adequate verification of their authenticity or intended purpose, enabling unauthorized file renaming operations in the project report directory. This flaw operates at the intersection of network communication security and file system integrity, where the absence of cryptographic validation or message authentication codes prevents the system from distinguishing between legitimate and malicious requests. The vulnerability's design flaw lies in the server's trust model, which assumes all incoming TCP communications are legitimate without proper verification steps, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the data server's file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation to potentially cause significant service disruption within industrial control systems that rely on IGSS for report generation and data management. When an attacker successfully renames files in the project report directory, the system's ability to locate and process these files becomes compromised, leading to potential denial of service conditions where legitimate users cannot access or generate reports. This attack vector particularly targets industrial environments where continuous operation is critical, as the denial of service could disrupt monitoring, reporting, and operational workflows that depend on the integrity of project reports. The vulnerability's severity is amplified in environments where automated report generation and dashboard displays rely on the predictable file structure within the project report directory, making the system susceptible to cascading failures that impact multiple operational components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap in data authenticity verification and the broader architectural weaknesses that allow unauthenticated file operations. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms that verify message authenticity before processing file renaming operations, incorporating cryptographic signatures or message authentication codes to ensure that only authorized requests modify the project report directory structure. Network segmentation and access control measures should be deployed to limit direct TCP port access to the Data Server, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring systems around file operations within the project report directory will enable detection of unauthorized modifications, while regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that all affected IGSS components are running the latest secure versions. Additionally, security awareness training for system administrators should emphasize the importance of validating data sources and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that prevent single points of failure in authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, where the lack of proper authentication allows attackers to manipulate system resources through seemingly legitimate communication channels.