CVE-2023-29268 in Spotfire Statistics Services
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2023
The Splus Server component of TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO Spotfire Statistics Services contains a vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to upload or modify arbitrary files within the web server directory on the affected system. Affected releases are TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO Spotfire Statistics Services: versions 11.4.10 and below, versions 11.5.0, 11.6.0, 11.6.1, 11.6.2, 11.7.0, 11.8.0, 11.8.1, 12.0.0, 12.0.1, and 12.0.2, versions 12.1.0 and 12.2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-29268 represents a critical file upload and modification flaw within TIBCO Spotfire Statistics Services, specifically affecting the Splus Server component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized remote attackers to manipulate the web server directory without authentication. The flaw exists across multiple version ranges including 11.4.10 and earlier releases, as well as versions 11.5.0 through 12.2.0, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing TIBCO Spotfire platforms. The vulnerability manifests through improper restrictions on file operations, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or modify system files, which directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the affected systems.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-434, which specifically addresses "Upload of File without Security Validation." The flaw enables unauthenticated remote code execution through file upload capabilities, where attackers can place malicious files in the web server directory structure. The Splus Server component appears to lack proper authorization checks and file type validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls. This weakness operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that target the file upload functionality, potentially enabling attackers to deploy web shells, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that persist on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected systems and enables various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, and lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on TIBCO Spotfire Statistics Services face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive business intelligence data, potentially leading to intellectual property theft or regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations without proper network segmentation. This flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute commands and establish persistent access to the compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-29268 should include immediate patching of affected versions to address the underlying file upload validation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected services and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious file upload attempts. Additional defensive measures include restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict file type validation, and enforcing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive application security controls to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the TIBCO Spotfire platform. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes and regular security audits to ensure continued protection against evolving threats.