CVE-2023-37859 in WP 6xxx
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2023
In PHOENIX CONTACTs WP 6xxx series web panels in versions prior to 4.0.10 the SNMP daemon is running with root privileges allowing a remote attacker with knowledge of the SNMPv2 r/w community string to execute system commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37859 affects PHOENIX CONTACT's WP 6xxx series web panels, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables remote code execution with elevated privileges. This issue exists in firmware versions prior to 4.0.10, where the SNMP daemon operates with root-level permissions, creating a severe security risk for industrial control systems and embedded devices. The flaw stems from improper privilege separation within the device's network services, allowing attackers to exploit a known community string to gain full administrative control over the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the SNMP daemon running with elevated privileges, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and privilege separation. When an attacker discovers the SNMPv2 read-write community string, they can leverage this knowledge to execute arbitrary system commands as the root user. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where a service running with unnecessary elevated privileges creates an attack surface that directly enables remote code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privileges, and specifically manifests as a privilege escalation issue that bypasses normal access controls through network-based exploitation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial environments where PHOENIX CONTACT panels are deployed, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and process control systems. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this flaw from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or additional authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple command execution, as root-level access enables attackers to modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, manipulate industrial processes, and potentially cause operational disruptions or safety incidents. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The security implications of CVE-2023-37859 extend beyond immediate exploitation to encompass long-term system compromise and potential cascading effects within industrial networks. Organizations utilizing these web panels must conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices and implement remediation measures. The recommended mitigations include upgrading to firmware version 4.0.10 or later, which addresses the privilege escalation issue, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Additional protective measures should involve disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious SNMP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management in embedded systems and the potential consequences when security controls are insufficiently implemented in industrial control environments.