CVE-2023-2989 in EFT
Summary
by MITRE • 06/22/2023
Fortra Globalscape EFT versions before 8.1.0.16 suffer from an out of bounds memory read in their administration server, which can allow an attacker to crash the service or bypass authentication if successfully exploited
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2989 affects Fortra Globalscape EFT versions prior to 8.1.0.16 and represents a critical out-of-bounds memory read flaw within the administration server component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices that permit unauthorized access to memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the administration server processes specific input data structures, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper bounds checking during memory operations within the administration server's processing pipeline. When maliciously crafted input reaches the server, it triggers a memory read operation that accesses memory addresses outside the allocated buffer space. This condition can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or in some cases, may provide a pathway for privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Fortra Globalscape EFT for file transfer operations. The potential for service disruption through crashes creates availability concerns that could impact business continuity, while the authentication bypass capability represents a severe confidentiality and integrity threat. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface extends to any network endpoint where the administration server is accessible, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks.
The exploitation of CVE-2023-2989 aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The vulnerability could enable attackers to move laterally within networks by gaining administrative access to the EFT system, potentially serving as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that may include initial access through network reconnaissance followed by privilege escalation to achieve persistent access.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to Fortra Globalscape EFT versions 8.1.0.16 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds memory read condition. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the administration server ports, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additionally, organizations should monitor for suspicious network activity related to the administration interface and implement proper access controls to restrict administrative access to authorized personnel only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other enterprise applications and systems.