CVE-2023-5488 in Smart S45F Multi-Service Secure Gateway Intelligent Management Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability was found in Beijing Baichuo Smart S45F Multi-Service Secure Gateway Intelligent Management Platform up to 20230928. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /sysmanage/updatelib.php. The manipulation of the argument file_upload leads to unrestricted upload. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-241640. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5488 represents a critical security flaw in the Beijing Baichuo Smart S45F Multi-Service Secure Gateway Intelligent Management Platform, specifically affecting versions up to 20230928. This device serves as a critical network security component that manages multiple services and provides intelligent gateway functionality for enterprise environments. The vulnerability resides within the /sysmanage/updatelib.php file which handles library update operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the platform's integrity and security posture.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation in the file_upload parameter handling within the updatelib.php script. This weakness allows unauthorized users to upload arbitrary files to the system without proper restrictions or sanitization checks. The vulnerability constitutes an unrestricted file upload issue that directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the dangerous practice of allowing file uploads without adequate validation of file type, content, or destination. When an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they can upload malicious files such as web shells, malware, or other malicious payloads that can be executed within the context of the web server, effectively granting them persistent access to the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching given the platform's role in network security management. Since the attack can be launched remotely without requiring physical access or authentication, threat actors can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the internet. The public disclosure of the exploit (VDB-241640) significantly increases the risk as it provides attackers with ready-made tools and techniques to compromise affected systems. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the problem, leaving organizations with no official patch or mitigation guidance, forcing them to rely on community-driven solutions or implement emergency workarounds.
Organizations utilizing this platform must immediately implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes blocking direct internet access to the affected management interface, implementing strict firewall rules that restrict file upload capabilities, and conducting comprehensive network monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to upload malicious files and implement application-level controls that validate file types and content before allowing uploads. The vulnerability's classification as critical underscores the urgency of these measures, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within affected networks. This represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure and highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and vendor communication channels for critical network components.