CVE-2023-4310 in Privileged Remote Access
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) versions 23.2.1 and 23.2.2 contain a command injection vulnerability which can be exploited through a malicious HTTP request. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute underlying operating system commands within the context of the site user. This issue is fixed in version 23.2.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4310 affects BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) versions 23.2.1 and 23.2.2, representing a critical command injection flaw that undermines the security posture of privileged access management systems. This vulnerability resides within the HTTP request processing logic of the affected software, creating an attack vector that allows unauthenticated remote exploitation. The flaw enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the target system with the privileges of the site user, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive privileged resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given the nature of privileged access management tools, which are designed to control and monitor access to critical systems and data.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the HTTP request handling components of BeyondTrust PRA and RS. When the software processes incoming HTTP requests, it fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied input that may contain malicious command sequences. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to craft specially crafted HTTP requests that include command injection payloads, which are then executed by the underlying operating system without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that no authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these systems are exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4310 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold that can be leveraged for further compromise within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the site user, potentially allowing them to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands through various interpreters and system interfaces. The implications are severe for organizations relying on BeyondTrust for privileged access management, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass the very security controls that these systems are designed to enforce. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to critical systems, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access and Remote Support version 23.2.3 to remediate this vulnerability, as this release contains the necessary patches and fixes for the command injection flaw. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring and logging controls to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual command execution patterns or unexpected system behavior. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing robust input validation controls to prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their privileged access management systems and review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include verification that the patch has been successfully applied and that no unauthorized changes have occurred within the affected systems.