CVE-2023-35708 in MOVEit Transfer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
Progress MOVEit Transfer has a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be addressed with DLL drop-in version 2023.0.3 (15.0.3) and other specific fixed versions (stated below). The availability date of fixed versions of the DLL drop-in is earlier than the availability date of fixed versions of the full installer. The specific weakness and impact details will be mentioned in a later update to this CVE Record. These are fixed versions of the DLL drop-in: 2020.1.10 (12.1.10), 2021.0.8 (13.0.8), 2021.1.6 (13.1.6), 2022.0.6 (14.0.6), 2022.1.7 (14.1.7), and 2023.0.3 (15.0.3).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35708 affects Progress MOVEit Transfer, a widely used file transfer solution that facilitates secure data exchange between organizations. This privilege escalation vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow attackers to elevate their privileges within the system. The affected software operates in environments where file transfer automation and management are critical components of business operations, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access or elevated system control. The vulnerability impacts organizations that rely on MOVEit Transfer for their file transfer operations, particularly those in regulated industries where data security and access control are paramount.
The technical flaw underlying this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the software's dynamic link library (DLL) loading mechanism. This weakness allows malicious actors to potentially manipulate the DLL loading process to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is specifically tied to how the system handles dynamic library loading and privilege escalation during file transfer operations. According to industry standards such as CWE-276, this vulnerability aligns with improper privileges and access control issues that can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation. The affected versions demonstrate a pattern of privilege escalation through DLL manipulation that requires specific patched versions to remediate the issue effectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within affected networks. Organizations utilizing MOVEit Transfer may face significant security implications, particularly in environments where the software is used for automated file transfers between systems with varying security levels. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that the DLL drop-in fixes are available before full installer fixes, creating a window where organizations must carefully manage their update strategy. This timing issue reflects the complexity of enterprise software security management and the challenges organizations face when implementing security patches across distributed systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies while planning for the deployment of the specified fixed versions. The recommended versions include 2020.1.10 (12.1.10), 2021.0.8 (13.0.8), 2021.1.6 (13.1.6), 2022.0.6 (14.0.6), 2022.1.7 (14.1.7), and 2023.0.3 (15.0.3) for the DLL drop-in components. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring and access control measures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, making it essential for organizations to review their access control policies and implement principle of least privilege configurations. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred before the patch deployment.