CVE-2023-34412 in mbNET
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2023
A vulnerability in Red Lion Europe mbNET/mbNET.rokey and Helmholz REX 200 and REX 250 devices with firmware lower 7.3.2 allows an authenticated remote attacker to store an arbitrary JavaScript payload on the diagnosis page of the device. That page is loaded immediately after login in to the device and runs the stored payload, allowing the attacker to read and write browser data and reduce system performance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery and cross-site scripting flaw affecting Red Lion Europe mbNET/mbNET.rokey and Helmholz REX 200 and REX 250 industrial devices. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the device's web interface, specifically targeting the diagnosis page functionality that executes automatically upon user authentication. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Cross-Site Scripting and CWE-94 as Code Injection, with implications for both web application security and industrial control systems. Attackers with valid credentials can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the diagnosis page storage mechanism, which then executes in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access, requiring minimal privileges but leveraging the device's automatic page loading behavior after login. When an authenticated user accesses the device interface, the diagnosis page loads and executes any stored JavaScript payload without proper sanitization or context-aware filtering. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting attack vector that allows attackers to manipulate browser data, access session cookies, and potentially escalate privileges within the device's web interface. The vulnerability affects firmware versions prior to 7.3.2, indicating a regression or oversight in the security hardening process during firmware development cycles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking to encompass potential system performance degradation and unauthorized data manipulation. Attackers can execute JavaScript code that monitors user interactions, captures sensitive information, and potentially disrupts normal device operations through resource-intensive malicious scripts. The automatic execution of payloads upon login creates a persistent threat that remains active as long as the device is accessible and the attacker maintains valid credentials. This vulnerability particularly impacts industrial environments where these devices serve as critical components of monitoring and control systems, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to operational data or disrupt production processes.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware upgrades to version 7.3.2 or later, which presumably address the input validation and sanitization deficiencies. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and unexpected JavaScript content. Security configurations should enforce strict input validation for all user-supplied data, particularly in web interface components that handle diagnostic information. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of industrial control systems and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 for Phishing and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive security awareness training and defensive measures against credential compromise and malicious code execution.