CVE-2023-35816 in DevExpress
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2025
DevExpress before 23.1.3 allows arbitrary TypeConverter conversion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35816 affects DevExpress components prior to version 23.1.3 and represents a critical security flaw that enables arbitrary TypeConverter conversion. This issue stems from insufficient validation within the TypeConverter mechanism, which is a fundamental component in .NET applications responsible for converting values between different data types. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate type conversion processes through crafted inputs that bypass normal validation checks, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or data manipulation.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and can be classified as CWE-20, which deals with improper input validation in software systems. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the TypeConverter component fails to properly sanitize or validate the data types being processed, allowing malicious actors to inject unexpected type conversions. The vulnerability exists in the serialization and deserialization processes where the framework does not adequately verify the legitimacy of type conversion operations, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through carefully crafted payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can enable attackers to perform remote code execution or escalate privileges within affected systems. When exploited, the arbitrary TypeConverter conversion can be leveraged to execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted serialized data to an application that uses DevExpress components, where the TypeConverter processes the data without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious type conversion logic.
Organizations using DevExpress components should immediately upgrade to version 23.1.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy involves not only applying the vendor-provided patch but also implementing additional runtime protections such as input validation, code integrity checks, and monitoring for suspicious type conversion activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary conversion capabilities to execute malicious payloads and gain elevated system access. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on serialization processes and type conversion mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom applications that may be using similar patterns.