CVE-2023-30261 in OpenWB
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2023
Command Injection vulnerability in OpenWB 1.6 and 1.7 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary commands via crafted GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2023
The CVE-2023-30261 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the OpenWB electric vehicle charging station management system version 1.6 and 1.7. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote exploitation where attackers can execute arbitrary commands through specially crafted GET requests, fundamentally compromising the security posture of connected charging infrastructure. The OpenWB platform serves as a web-based interface for managing charging stations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise energy infrastructure systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of charging operations, potentially allowing unauthorized access to critical charging station functions and data.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's parameter handling mechanisms. When the system processes GET requests containing malicious payloads, it fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands or shell executions. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as executable commands by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the way the application processes certain parameters that are intended for configuration or operational functions, allowing attackers to inject command sequences that bypass normal execution boundaries. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77, which describes command injection flaws where untrusted data is used to construct command strings without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, presenting significant risks to energy infrastructure security and operational continuity. Attackers could potentially gain full control over charging station operations, manipulate charging schedules, access sensitive configuration data, or even disrupt charging services for connected vehicles. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the charging infrastructure. This poses particular risks in commercial and residential settings where charging stations are connected to local networks and may have access to broader network resources. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent access points, or use the compromised charging station as a launchpad for further attacks within connected networks, aligning with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-30261 should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenWB versions, with administrators applying the latest security updates provided by the vendor. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to charging station management interfaces, limiting exposure to only trusted networks and IP addresses. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application to ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in connected systems, particularly focusing on web applications handling user input. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection measures to provide additional layers of defense against potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patches do not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect against command injection attacks.