CVE-2023-5395 in Experion Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Server receiving a malformed message that uses the hostname in an internal table may cause a stack overflow resulting in possible remote code execution. See Honeywell Security Notification for recommendations on upgrading and versioning.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2024
This vulnerability exists within a server application that processes incoming messages containing hostname information. The flaw manifests when the server encounters a malformed message that includes a hostname value stored in an internal table structure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the message processing pipeline. When the server attempts to handle this malformed hostname data, it triggers a stack overflow condition that can potentially be exploited to achieve remote code execution. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the server level where malicious actors could leverage this weakness without requiring authentication or physical access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack buffer overflow scenario where the hostname string is processed through an internal table mechanism that does not properly validate the input length or memory allocation. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a fixed-length stack buffer. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk because an attacker can craft a malicious message containing an oversized hostname field that exceeds the allocated stack space. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate credentials and system access, as the exploitation could lead to full system compromise. The stack overflow occurs during the message parsing phase when the server attempts to store or process the hostname value in its internal data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the server process. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on hostname processing within their internal message handling mechanisms, particularly those used in security monitoring, industrial control systems, or network management platforms. Organizations running affected software versions face significant risk exposure, especially in environments where these servers are directly accessible from untrusted networks or where network segmentation is inadequate. The Honeywell Security Notification referenced in the original description indicates that this vulnerability impacts specific security appliance software, requiring immediate attention through version upgrades and patch management processes.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to affected servers and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious hostname-based traffic patterns. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the message processing layer to ensure hostname values are properly bounded before being stored in internal tables. Additionally, implementing stack protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for similar buffer overflow conditions within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on string handling functions and memory management routines. The remediation process should also involve thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the system's operational integrity.