CVE-2023-28055 in NetWorker
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
Dell NetWorker, Version 19.7 has an improper authorization vulnerability in the NetWorker client. An unauthenticated attacker within the same network could potentially exploit this by manipulating a command leading to gain of complete access to the server file further resulting in information leaks, denial of service, and arbitrary code execution. Dell recommends customers to upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28055 affects Dell NetWorker version 19.7 and represents a critical improper authorization flaw within the NetWorker client component. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls that allow unauthenticated attackers within the same network segment to manipulate specific commands and gain complete server file access. The affected system operates under the assumption that legitimate network traffic can be trusted without proper authentication verification, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit to elevate their privileges and compromise the entire system. The vulnerability specifically targets the client-side implementation where command processing occurs without adequate authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker leveraging network-based access to send manipulated commands to the NetWorker client service. This improper authorization mechanism allows the attacker to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly interact with the server file system through the vulnerable client interface. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway where network traffic that should require authentication can be manipulated to execute privileged operations, effectively granting the attacker root-level access to the server's file system. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing information disclosure, denial of service, and arbitrary code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can not only access sensitive data stored on the server but can also execute malicious code with the privileges of the NetWorker service account. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate users could be unable to access critical backup services, potentially causing business disruption and data loss. The arbitrary code execution capability allows for persistent backdoor installation and further exploitation of the compromised system.
Organizations utilizing Dell NetWorker version 19.7 should immediately implement the vendor-recommended upgrade to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security patches provided by Dell, which typically include enhanced authentication mechanisms and proper authorization checks within the client component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the NetWorker services, particularly restricting access to only trusted network segments. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the NetWorker client service. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as the exploitation essentially allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through improper authorization controls. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement comprehensive logging and alerting mechanisms to detect such attacks in real-time.