CVE-2023-37199 in StruxureWare Data Center
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
A CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability exists that could cause remote code execution when an admin user on DCE tampers with backups which are then manually restored.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37199 represents a critical code injection flaw classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses improper control of code generation. This weakness manifests within the DCE backup restoration process where administrative users can manipulate backup files containing executable code or commands that are subsequently executed during manual restoration procedures. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the system and backup files, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be injected into legitimate backup data streams.
The technical exploitation occurs when administrators interact with backup files that contain embedded code or command sequences that are not properly sanitized or validated before execution. This improper handling of backup data creates a scenario where attackers can craft malicious backup files that appear legitimate but contain unauthorized code execution instructions. The vulnerability specifically targets the manual restoration workflow where administrative privileges are leveraged to process and execute backup data, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the trusted administrative context of the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete system compromise. When an administrator performs manual backup restoration, the system executes the embedded code without proper validation, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data. This vulnerability essentially transforms the administrative backup restoration process into a potential attack delivery mechanism, undermining the security controls that should protect against unauthorized code execution.
Organizations utilizing DCE systems face significant risk from this vulnerability as it requires minimal attack surface to exploit and can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector specifically targets administrative workflows, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate system functions to execute malicious code. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization of backup files, enforcing least privilege principles during backup restoration processes, and implementing automated code analysis tools to detect potentially malicious content within backup data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing backup file integrity checking mechanisms and monitoring for unauthorized backup modifications to prevent exploitation of this code injection vulnerability.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for spearphishing with malware, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through compromised backup restoration procedures. The CWE-94 classification specifically addresses the root cause of improper code generation control, where the system fails to validate or sanitize code elements that should be treated as untrusted inputs. Security controls should implement proper backup file validation, code signature verification, and automated content scanning to prevent exploitation of this critical weakness in the backup and restore functionality of DCE systems.