CVE-2023-27981 in IGSS Data Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2023
A CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerability exists in Custom Reports that could cause a remote code execution when a victim tries to open a malicious report. 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 • 12/01/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-27981 represents a critical security flaw classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This weakness manifests within the Custom Reports functionality of several IGSS products including the IGSS Data Server, IGSS Dashboard, and Custom Reports component. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of file paths during report processing, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the system's file access mechanisms. When a user attempts to open a specially crafted malicious report, the system fails to properly restrict the pathname traversal, potentially allowing unauthorized access to system resources beyond the intended restricted directories. This particular flaw affects versions of the software up to and including V16.0.0.23040, indicating that the issue has persisted across multiple components of the IGSS ecosystem. The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only a victim to open a malicious report, making it a client-side vulnerability that can be delivered through various means such as email attachments, web downloads, or malicious file sharing. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the successful exploitation would likely involve executing commands through the compromised report handling mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-27981 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or data theft, as it creates a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks within industrial control systems. When considering the affected products, which are part of the IGSS suite used primarily in industrial environments, the implications become more severe due to the critical infrastructure nature of these systems. The IGSS Data Server and Dashboard components typically handle sensitive operational data and process critical industrial information, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain deeper access to industrial networks. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that an attacker could not only execute malicious code but could also potentially establish persistence mechanisms, escalate privileges, or move laterally within the network. This type of vulnerability directly conflicts with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which mandate proper input validation and access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates a failure in implementing proper path validation controls, which should be classified as a high-risk vulnerability according to CVSS scoring methodologies. Organizations using these products face significant risk if they remain unpatched, as the vulnerability could be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise, particularly given the user interaction requirement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-27981 should focus on immediate patching of all affected versions of IGSS products, with particular attention to the IGSS Data Server, Dashboard, and Custom Reports components. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these systems and apply strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from interacting with report handling functionality. The implementation of input validation measures and proper path sanitization should be enforced throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns or attempts to access restricted directories, which could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the industrial control system. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-22 indicates that it should be addressed through proper defensive coding practices, including the use of secure coding guidelines such as those provided by the Open Web Application Security Project. Additionally, the implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, their capabilities remain limited within the compromised system.