CVE-2023-5700 in NS-ASG Application Security Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Netentsec NS-ASG Application Security Gateway 6.3. Affected is an unknown function of the file /protocol/iscgwtunnel/uploadiscgwrouteconf.php. The manipulation of the argument GWLinkId leads to sql injection. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-243138 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5700 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Netentsec NS-ASG Application Security Gateway version 6.3. This security weakness resides in the uploadiscgwrouteconf.php file which processes gateway link identifiers through the GWLinkId parameter. The affected component operates within the protocol/iscgwtunnel directory structure, indicating it handles internet security gateway tunneling operations. The vulnerability classification as critical stems from the potential for unauthorized database access and data manipulation that could compromise the entire security infrastructure. Security researchers have classified this issue under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The disclosure of exploit details through VDB-243138 indicates that threat actors may already be leveraging this vulnerability in active attacks against affected systems.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves the manipulation of the GWLinkId argument within the uploadiscgwrouteconf.php endpoint, which directly influences how sql queries are constructed and executed within the application's backend database layer. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This processing flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that can manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability's location within the tunnel configuration upload functionality suggests that attackers could compromise network routing information and security policies. The attack surface extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise through database manipulation and unauthorized access to security gateway configurations. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms by allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security controls through sql injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains within enterprise network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing Netentsec NS-ASG 6.3 systems face significant risks including unauthorized access to security policies, potential data exfiltration from connected databases, and complete compromise of the application security gateway functionality. The vulnerability could enable attackers to modify network routing configurations, potentially redirecting traffic through malicious endpoints or disabling security controls entirely. From an attack chain perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploit public-facing application, and may progress to T1071.004 for application layer protocols. The potential for privilege escalation through database manipulation could allow attackers to gain administrative access to the security gateway, effectively compromising the entire network security posture. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5700 should prioritize immediate patching of the Netentsec NS-ASG 6.3 application to the latest security release that addresses this sql injection vulnerability. Network administrators must implement strict input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the affected application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. Access controls should be strengthened through network segmentation and firewall rules that limit access to the vulnerable uploadiscgwrouteconf.php endpoint to only authorized administrative users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in database queries and file upload operations that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of related network security infrastructure to identify potential additional sql injection vulnerabilities in similar applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that input validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack vectors. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that security updates do not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the integrity of network security controls.