CVE-2023-33919 in CP-8031 MASTER MODULE
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in CP-8031 MASTER MODULE (All versions < CPCI85 V05), CP-8050 MASTER MODULE (All versions < CPCI85 V05). The web interface of affected devices is vulnerable to command injection due to missing server side input sanitation. This could allow an authenticated privileged remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33919 affects critical industrial control systems manufactured by a leading automation company, specifically the CP-8031 MASTER MODULE and CP-8050 MASTER MODULE models. These devices operate within industrial environments where system integrity and security are paramount for operational continuity and safety. The affected systems are all versions prior to CPCI85 V05, indicating that this represents a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple firmware releases. The vulnerability resides within the web interface component of these industrial modules, which serves as the primary means for system administration and configuration in many industrial settings.
This security flaw constitutes a command injection vulnerability that stems from inadequate server-side input sanitization mechanisms. The absence of proper input validation allows malicious payloads to be executed directly within the system's command processing layer. When an authenticated attacker with privileged access submits specially crafted input through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before processing it as a command. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, where user-supplied data flows directly into system commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows execution of arbitrary code with root privileges, providing attackers with complete system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical network security concerns, as it directly threatens the integrity and availability of industrial control systems. Industrial environments often rely on these modules for critical infrastructure operations, including process control, monitoring, and automation functions. An attacker with authenticated access could potentially disrupt production processes, manipulate operational parameters, or even cause physical damage to equipment. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for industrial environments where physical security measures may be less stringent than network security. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain complete control over the affected systems, potentially leading to widespread operational disruption or safety hazards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33919 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions CPCI85 V05 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input sanitization deficiencies. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these industrial control systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel with proper authentication can reach the web interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 Phishing, as attackers may need to establish initial access through credential compromise before exploiting this command injection flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments to detect anomalous command execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.