CVE-2023-3405 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2023
Unchecked parameter value in M-Files Server in versions before 23.6.12695.3 (excluding 23.2 SR2 and newer) allows anonymous user to cause denial of service
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3405 affects M-Files Server versions prior to 23.6.12695.3, excluding certain service releases, presenting a critical security risk through an unchecked parameter value that enables anonymous users to execute denial of service attacks. This flaw resides within the server's parameter validation mechanisms, where input parameters are not properly validated before processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's processing logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the M-Files Server's request handling framework. When anonymous users submit requests containing malformed or unexpected parameter values, the server fails to validate these inputs against expected formats or ranges. This unchecked parameter processing allows attackers to craft specific requests that can trigger resource exhaustion or system instability, ultimately leading to service disruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of user-supplied data without proper bounds checking or type validation, making it susceptible to exploitation by unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the entire M-Files environment's availability and reliability. Anonymous attackers can leverage this weakness to consume system resources such as memory, CPU cycles, or database connections, causing legitimate users to experience degraded performance or complete service unavailability. The denial of service effect can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where document management systems serve critical business operations, potentially leading to productivity losses and operational disruptions that may persist until the vulnerability is patched or mitigated.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch for M-Files Server version 23.6.12695.3 or later, which addresses the unchecked parameter validation issue through proper input sanitization and validation routines. Network-level protections such as firewalls and access control lists should be configured to restrict anonymous access to the server where possible, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and represents a specific implementation weakness that can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," highlighting the need for robust input validation controls and proper access restrictions in enterprise document management systems.