CVE-2023-42649 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2023
In engineermode, 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-2023-42649 resides within the engineermode component of a system, representing a critical permission validation flaw that undermines the security model's integrity. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local access to sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where engineer mode functionality is enabled, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors who may already have local system access. The flaw operates at the authorization layer, where proper access controls should prevent information disclosure but instead permit unauthorized data retrieval. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to extract confidential system information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the engineer mode execution context. When the system processes requests within this mode, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting entity possesses the necessary authorization levels to access specific information resources. This missing validation occurs during the access control decision-making process, where the system should have enforced mandatory access controls but instead granted access based on insufficient credential verification. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the system's normal operational flow where information disclosure can occur without requiring additional malicious execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is already possible.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42649 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities or access vectors. An attacker who has already established local access to a system can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive configuration data, system logs, network information, or other confidential details that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability's low attack complexity and lack of additional execution privileges required make it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to escalate their access within a compromised system. The disclosure of information through this vulnerability could reveal system architecture details, user credentials, or security configurations that would otherwise remain protected. This information leakage could facilitate subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted attacks against other system components that rely on the disclosed information for their own security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42649 should focus on implementing robust permission validation mechanisms within the engineer mode functionality. System administrators should immediately apply available patches or updates that address the missing permission checks in the engineermode component. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that engineer mode functionality is properly restricted and that only authorized personnel can access these elevated privileges. Additional defensive measures include implementing monitoring for unusual access patterns within engineer mode, enforcing strict role-based access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar permission validation gaps. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper access control boundaries and highlights the necessity of regular security audits to identify and remediate authorization flaws that could compromise system integrity. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation techniques to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities within their environments.