CVE-2023-51141 in BioTime
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2024
An issue in ZKTeko BioTime v.8.5.4 and before allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the Authentication & Authorization component
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51141 affects ZKTeko BioTime version 8.5.4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw within the authentication and authorization framework of this biometric time and attendance system. This issue enables remote attackers to extract sensitive information, potentially compromising the entire security posture of organizations relying on this platform for employee access control and time tracking. The vulnerability resides in the authentication component, which is fundamental to protecting organizational assets and maintaining secure access to sensitive data. ZKTeko BioTime systems are widely deployed in enterprise environments for managing employee attendance, access control, and security monitoring, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with substantial security requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient security controls within the authentication and authorization module. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized information disclosure attacks without requiring legitimate credentials or physical access to the system. The flaw likely involves improper handling of authentication requests or insufficient sanitization of user inputs that could lead to information leakage through crafted requests or API calls. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and may also relate to CWE-312, "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information," if sensitive data is improperly handled during authentication processes. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors can target affected systems from anywhere on the network, eliminating the need for local access or insider knowledge of the environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-51141 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked sensitive data could include user credentials, access permissions, employee information, or system configuration details. This exposure could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement within networks, or identity theft attacks. Organizations using ZKTeko BioTime systems may find their employee access controls compromised, potentially allowing unauthorized individuals to gain access to restricted areas or systems. The vulnerability's presence in the authentication component directly undermines the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to impersonate legitimate users or administrators. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1566, "Phishing," and T1078, "Valid Accounts," as attackers could leverage the exposed information to establish persistent access or conduct social engineering campaigns targeting employees.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by ZKTeko, implementing network segmentation to limit access to authentication components, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The system administrators should also review and strengthen authentication policies, enforce multi-factor authentication where possible, and conduct comprehensive security audits of the BioTime system. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious authentication requests, regularly reviewing user access logs, and establishing incident response procedures specific to authentication-related vulnerabilities. Security teams should consider conducting penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure that no other authentication-related vulnerabilities exist within the environment. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive staff training on recognizing potential exploitation attempts and maintaining awareness of evolving threats targeting biometric authentication systems.