CVE-2023-4089 in Compact Controller CC100
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
On affected Wago products an remote attacker with administrative privileges can access files to which he has already access to through an undocumented local file inclusion. This access is logged in a different log file than expected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4089 affects Wago industrial automation products and represents a significant security weakness in the authentication and access control mechanisms. This flaw allows a remote attacker who has already established administrative privileges to exploit an undocumented local file inclusion vulnerability, creating an unexpected access pathway that bypasses normal security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets Wago devices that implement local file inclusion functionality, which is commonly used in industrial control systems and automation environments where secure access to system files is critical for operational integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of file access requests within the Wago product architecture. When an attacker with administrative credentials attempts to access system files, the system's logging mechanism fails to properly record this activity in the expected log file location. This discrepancy creates a potential blind spot in security monitoring and incident response procedures, as security teams would expect to find access logs in their standard monitoring locations. The vulnerability manifests through the exploitation of undocumented file inclusion paths that should not be accessible to authenticated users, yet remain functional within the system's access control framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4089 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of industrial control systems. In industrial environments, proper logging and monitoring are essential for maintaining system integrity and detecting malicious activities. When access attempts are logged to unexpected locations, it creates gaps in audit trails that can be exploited by sophisticated attackers to maintain persistence or cover their tracks during reconnaissance phases. This vulnerability particularly affects the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as it allows attackers to access system files while avoiding standard monitoring mechanisms.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of industrial cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443 standards, which emphasize the importance of proper access controls and logging mechanisms in industrial environments. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for this vulnerability would likely fall under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, or potentially CWE-73 - External Control of File Name or Path, depending on the specific implementation details. Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation controls to limit access to these industrial devices, ensure proper log aggregation and monitoring systems are in place, and conduct thorough access reviews to validate that administrative privileges are properly managed. Additionally, regular firmware updates from Wago should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, and security teams should monitor for anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.