CVE-2023-40501 in Simple Editor
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
LG Simple Editor copyContent Exposed Dangerous Function Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of LG Simple Editor. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the copyContent command. The issue results from an exposed dangerous function. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. . Was ZDI-CAN-19945.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The CVE-2023-40501 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in LG Simple Editor software that demonstrates a classic dangerous function exposure pattern. This vulnerability resides within the copyContent command implementation and constitutes a serious security weakness that allows unauthenticated remote code execution. The flaw essentially exposes a function that should remain internal or properly secured, creating an attack surface that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper function exposure within the LG Simple Editor's command processing framework. When the copyContent command is invoked, it inadvertently exposes underlying dangerous functions that should be protected from external access. This exposure creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute malicious code directly on the target system. The vulnerability's classification as a dangerous function exposure aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of exposing functions that should remain hidden or restricted. The attack vector leverages the exposed functionality to construct malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of the SYSTEM account, providing attackers with the highest level of privileges available on the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to organizations using LG Simple Editor software. The ability to execute code remotely without authentication means that attackers can compromise systems simply by sending crafted requests to the affected service. The SYSTEM-level execution context provides attackers with complete control over the affected system, enabling them to install malware, create backdoors, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a valuable tool for attackers seeking persistent access and system control.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves restricting network access to the LG Simple Editor service through firewalls and access control lists, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling the copyContent functionality entirely if it is not required for business operations. Regular software updates and patches should be applied as soon as they become available from LG to address the underlying implementation flaw. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns of traffic related to the copyContent command, and security teams should implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that it may be exploitable through various attack vectors including web-based interfaces, API endpoints, or direct network connections, making comprehensive network segmentation and monitoring essential defensive measures.