CVE-2023-5390 in ControlEdge UOC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2024
An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to files being read from the Honeywell Experion ControlEdge VirtualUOC and ControlEdge UOC. This exploit could be used to read files from the controller that may expose limited information from the device. Honeywell recommends updating to the most recent version of the product. See Honeywell Security Notification for recommendations on upgrading and versioning.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5390 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Honeywell Experion ControlEdge VirtualUOC and ControlEdge UOC systems. This vulnerability exists within industrial control systems that are designed to manage and monitor critical infrastructure operations, making it particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The affected systems are part of Honeywell's Experion ControlEdge platform, which is widely deployed in process control environments including oil and gas, chemical processing, and other industrial facilities where operational technology security is paramount.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient access control mechanism that allows unauthorized parties to potentially read files from the controller's file system. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and access restriction controls within the VirtualUOC and UOC components of the Experion platform. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization procedures, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, operational data, or system information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it could provide attackers with valuable intelligence about the target system's configuration, operational parameters, and potentially reveal information that could be leveraged for further attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into network topology, system architecture, and operational procedures that might aid in planning more sophisticated attacks against the industrial control environment. The exposure of limited information from the device could serve as a reconnaissance step for attackers seeking to understand the target's operational landscape and identify additional vulnerabilities within the broader control system ecosystem. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of system information, and represents a significant risk to operational technology security.
Organizations utilizing Honeywell Experion ControlEdge systems should immediately prioritize the implementation of the recommended security updates provided by Honeywell in their security notifications. The vendor's advisory emphasizes the importance of upgrading to the most recent version of the product, which likely includes patches addressing the access control weaknesses that enable this information disclosure. Beyond applying the vendor-provided patches, system administrators should implement additional security controls including network segmentation, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and regular security assessments of their industrial control systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in operational technology environments where the consequences of security breaches can extend far beyond traditional information technology risks.