CVE-2023-32462 in SmartFabric OS10
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2024
Dell OS10 Networking Switches running 10.5.2.x and above contain an OS command injection vulnerability when using remote user authentication. A remote unauthenticated attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the execution of arbitrary OS commands and possible system takeover. This is a critical vulnerability as it allows an attacker to cause severe damage. Dell recommends customers to upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
The CVE-2023-32462 vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw affecting Dell OS10 Networking Switches with firmware versions 10.5.2.x and higher. This vulnerability specifically manifests when remote user authentication mechanisms are in use, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by unauthenticated remote adversaries. The flaw resides in how the networking switch processes authentication requests, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands directly on the affected devices. The severity classification as critical stems from the potential for complete system compromise, where attackers can gain full administrative control over the affected switches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the remote authentication subsystem of the OS10 operating system. When user credentials are processed through remote authentication protocols, the system fails to adequately sanitize input parameters, creating opportunities for command injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious authentication requests that include OS commands within legitimate authentication parameters, which are then executed by the underlying operating system with the privileges of the authentication service. This weakness directly maps to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path to privilege escalation and lateral movement within network infrastructure, as compromised switches can serve as launch points for broader network attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected networking infrastructure. Once exploited, adversaries can modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install backdoors, or even use the compromised switches as pivoting points to attack internal network resources. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators. Organizations with affected Dell switches face potential data breaches, service disruptions, and complete loss of network control, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. The impact is amplified by the fact that networking switches typically serve as critical infrastructure components that control network traffic flow and connectivity.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies while planning for firmware upgrades to address this vulnerability. Dell recommends urgent firmware updates as the primary remediation approach, as these patches will contain fixes for the input validation flaws that enable the command injection. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected switches to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious authentication patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous authentication traffic patterns. The vulnerability's classification as critical necessitates immediate action, as the window for exploitation is likely to be short-lived as threat actors become aware of the vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct thorough network audits to identify all affected devices and implement comprehensive monitoring for any signs of compromise, as the attack surface includes not just the switches themselves but also any systems that trust authentication responses from these compromised devices.