CVE-2023-3495 in EH-VIEW
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2023
** UNSUPPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in Hitachi EH-VIEW (KeypadDesigner) allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitray code on affected EH-VIEW installations. User interaction is required to exploit the vulnerabilities in that the user must open a malicious file. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The CVE-2023-3495 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw discovered in Hitachi EH-VIEW software, specifically within the KeypadDesigner component. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-787 which defines out-of-bounds write conditions where a program writes data past the end of a buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations. The affected Hitachi EH-VIEW platform is designed for keypad configuration and user interface design, making it a specialized industrial control system component that requires local system access for exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts legacy systems that have reached end-of-life status, rendering them particularly susceptible to exploitation as no security updates or patches are available from the vendor.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the KeypadDesigner application's file parsing routines. When processing maliciously crafted input files, the software fails to validate buffer boundaries before writing data, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the running application, allowing local attackers to escalate privileges or compromise the entire system. The requirement for user interaction through file opening creates a social engineering vector that attackers can exploit by delivering malicious files through various means such as email attachments, removable media, or network shares. This exploitation model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise of affected industrial control environments. Given that EH-VIEW systems are typically used in manufacturing and automation settings, successful exploitation could potentially disrupt production processes, compromise safety systems, or provide attackers with persistent access to critical infrastructure. The fact that this vulnerability affects unsupported products creates a significant risk profile as organizations cannot rely on vendor-provided security updates or patches. The lack of ongoing support means that organizations must implement alternative mitigation strategies including network segmentation, user access controls, and file filtering mechanisms to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, the vulnerability's classification as local privilege escalation means that attackers who gain initial access to the system through other vectors can leverage this flaw to achieve higher levels of system control.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should consider immediate remediation measures including complete system replacement or migration to supported alternatives, as no patch or workaround exists for the unsupported software. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file transfers or execution patterns, while privileged access controls should be strictly enforced to limit user capabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining inventory of legacy systems and implementing proper end-of-life management processes to prevent similar issues in the future. Security teams should conduct comprehensive risk assessments of their industrial control environments to identify other unsupported software components that may present similar vulnerabilities, particularly those following the same vendor support lifecycle patterns as Hitachi EH-VIEW.