CVE-2023-42632 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2023
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42632 resides within the validationtools component where a missing permission check has been discovered. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that allows unauthorized local access to sensitive information without requiring any additional execution privileges or elevated rights. The validationtools module typically handles various validation processes and security checks within software systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit permission gaps. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient permission checks as classified by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to gain access to protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper authorization validation within the validationtools framework. When the system processes validation requests, it fails to verify whether the requesting entity has appropriate permissions to access the underlying data or functionality. This missing check creates a pathway for local attackers to extract information that should normally be restricted to authorized users or processes. The vulnerability does not require any special execution privileges because it operates at the permission validation level rather than requiring code execution or privilege escalation. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass access controls that should normally prevent unauthorized information disclosure, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users or processes interact with the validationtools component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive system data, configuration details, or user information that could be leveraged for further attacks. Local attackers who can access the validationtools component can exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about system configurations, user accounts, or other sensitive metadata. The lack of additional execution privileges required means that even users with minimal system access can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. This weakness can contribute to broader attack chains where initial information disclosure leads to more sophisticated exploitation techniques, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovery of system information and T1566 for social engineering attacks that rely on gathered intelligence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42632 should focus on implementing proper permission validation checks within the validationtools module. Organizations should ensure that all access requests are properly authenticated and authorized before allowing information disclosure or processing operations. This includes implementing mandatory access controls, regular permission audits, and ensuring that the validationtools component enforces strict access control policies. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the missing permission check, and system administrators should review existing access control mechanisms to identify any similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to the validationtools component, providing visibility into potential exploitation attempts and supporting incident response activities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that proper permission checks are enforced without disrupting legitimate system functionality, as outlined in security best practices for access control implementation and compliance with standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control management.