CVE-2023-28343 in Power Control Software
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2023
OS command injection affects Altenergy Power Control Software C1.2.5 via shell metacharacters in the index.php/management/set_timezone timezone parameter, because of set_timezone in models/management_model.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2023-28343 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within Altenergy Power Control Software version 1.2.5. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation in the web application's timezone configuration functionality, specifically within the index.php/management/set_timezone endpoint. The vulnerability manifests when maliciously crafted shell metacharacters are passed through the timezone parameter, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application user. The affected component resides in the models/management_model.php file, which fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into system command execution contexts. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-77, which categorizes command injection vulnerabilities as critical threats that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the timezone parameter in the management interface, where the application directly incorporates user input into shell commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage special shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks to chain commands and bypass input restrictions. When the web application processes these malicious inputs through the set_timezone function in management_model.php, it executes system commands that can result in unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which describes command and scripting interpreter usage, specifically targeting the execution of operating system commands through web interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical need for proper parameter sanitization in web applications handling system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling attackers to gain full system control over the affected power control software environment. An attacker could execute commands to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive operational data, or even disrupt power management functions that are critical for industrial control systems. The compromised software environment may contain operational technology (OT) components that manage critical infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for industrial environments. The attack surface is limited to authenticated users with access to the management interface, but the privilege escalation potential means that even limited access could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects not only the software's integrity but also poses significant risks to operational technology security, as demonstrated by the increasing sophistication of attacks targeting industrial control systems and the growing convergence of IT and OT environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28343 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures within the affected software components. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that filters or escapes special shell characters before processing user input, ensuring that only legitimate timezone values are accepted. The recommended approach involves applying input sanitization techniques that prevent command injection by removing or encoding dangerous metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, pipes, and backticks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the Altenergy Power Control Software to versions that address this vulnerability, with proper testing to ensure no regression in functionality. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious command execution patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the industrial control system infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against command injection attacks targeting operational technology environments.