CVE-2023-5328 in CL4NX-J Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SATO CL4NX-J Plus 1.13.2-u455_r2. This affects an unknown part of the component Cookie Handler. The manipulation with the input auth=user,level1,settings; web=true leads to improper authentication. Access to the local network is required for this attack. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-241029 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2024
This critical vulnerability exists within the SATO CL4NX-J Plus device firmware version 1.13.2-u455_r2, specifically within the Cookie Handler component that manages authentication mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate authentication parameters through crafted cookie values containing the string auth=user,level1,settings; web=true which bypasses proper authentication controls. The vulnerability requires local network access for exploitation, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical or network proximity can be achieved by malicious actors. The public disclosure of this exploit poses significant risk to organizations relying on these devices for label printing and industrial automation processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the cookie handling mechanism that processes authentication tokens. When the system processes the malicious cookie value auth=user,level1,settings; web=true, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters before granting access privileges. This represents a classic case of insufficient authentication validation where the system accepts user-supplied cookie data without adequate verification mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically focusing on the failure to properly authenticate users through flawed cookie processing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromise entire industrial control systems. An attacker with local network access could gain unauthorized administrative privileges, potentially leading to device misconfiguration, data manipulation, or disruption of critical printing operations. The affected device serves as a component in industrial environments where continuous operation is essential, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could lead to production downtime or security breaches in manufacturing processes. The presence of the web=true parameter suggests this vulnerability may also affect web-based management interfaces, expanding the potential attack surface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to these devices, deployment of network access controls to limit local network access, and implementation of monitoring solutions to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns. Firmware updates should be prioritized if available from the vendor, though given the public disclosure status of this vulnerability, patching may be limited. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for the specific cookie patterns associated with this exploit, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure only authorized personnel can reach these devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar authentication bypass opportunities. This case demonstrates the critical need for robust authentication mechanisms in industrial IoT devices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and legitimate credential use for persistence and privilege escalation within target environments.