CVE-2023-42652 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-2023-42652 resides within the engineermode component, representing a critical permission validation flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local access to sensitive information, fundamentally compromising the principle of least privilege that governs secure system design. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where engineermode functionality is implemented, typically found in embedded systems, network devices, or specialized industrial control environments where engineering access is required for maintenance and configuration purposes.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate authorization verification mechanisms within the engineermode subsystem. When legitimate engineering operations are performed, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user or process possesses the necessary privileges to access specific information resources. This missing validation occurs at the application level where access controls should enforce strict boundaries between different user roles and system capabilities. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authorization mechanisms, aligning with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and CWE-732 which covers inadequate protection of resource permissions. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway where any local user can potentially extract information that should be restricted to authorized engineering personnel only.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42652 extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a significant risk vector for potential escalation attacks and system compromise. Local information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into system architecture, configuration details, network topology, and potentially sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further exploitation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges beyond normal local user access, making it easily exploitable by adversaries who may already have basic system access through other means. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1069 (Permission Groups Discovery) as attackers can use the leaked information to map system permissions and identify potential paths for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42652 should focus on implementing robust access control mechanisms and comprehensive code reviews to ensure proper permission validation. System administrators should immediately apply vendor-provided patches or updates that address the missing authorization checks within the engineermode component. Additional protective measures include implementing strict user role definitions, enabling detailed logging of engineering mode access attempts, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar permission validation gaps across the system. The remediation process should involve thorough testing of access control logic to ensure that all information disclosure pathways are properly validated against user privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, ensuring that even if one component is compromised, the broader system remains protected. Regular vulnerability assessments and security training for system administrators can help prevent similar issues from emerging in future system configurations and development cycles.