CVE-2023-6263 in NxCloud
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2023
An issue was discovered in Network Optix NxCloud before 23.1.0.40440. It was possible to add a fake VMS server to NxCloud by using the exact identification of a legitimate VMS server. As result, it was possible to retrieve authorization headers from legitimate users when the legitimate client connects to the fake VMS server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2023
This vulnerability in Network Optix NxCloud represents a sophisticated man-in-the-middle attack vector that exploits the authentication system's lack of proper server identity verification. The flaw allows attackers to impersonate legitimate VMS servers by simply duplicating the exact identification credentials of genuine systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of authentication bypass and server impersonation, which are classified under CWE-287 for improper authentication and CWE-305 for authentication bypass via multiple attempts. The attack leverages the trust relationship between legitimate clients and the NxCloud service, creating a scenario where users unknowingly connect to malicious servers that appear identical to legitimate ones.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic verification mechanisms within the NxCloud authentication protocol. When legitimate VMS servers communicate with the NxCloud service, they exchange identification credentials that are not adequately protected against replay attacks or identity spoofing. The system fails to implement proper certificate pinning or unique server identity verification that would prevent attackers from establishing a fake server with identical identification parameters. This weakness creates a trust boundary violation where the authentication process cannot distinguish between genuine and malicious servers, allowing attackers to intercept and potentially escalate privileges through the captured authorization headers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to legitimate user sessions and potentially compromise the entire network surveillance infrastructure. When legitimate clients connect to the fake VMS server, they unknowingly transmit their authorization tokens and session data, which can then be used to access sensitive video surveillance data, modify system configurations, or even impersonate authorized users for extended periods. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts usage, as it allows attackers to leverage legitimate user credentials for unauthorized access.
Organizations using Network Optix NxCloud systems face significant security risks from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where surveillance systems contain sensitive operational data or are integrated with critical infrastructure. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with basic knowledge of network protocols and authentication systems. The vulnerability is especially concerning in industrial control systems or security environments where the integrity of surveillance data is paramount, as attackers could potentially manipulate or destroy video evidence while remaining undetected. Mitigation efforts should include immediate system updates to version 23.1.0.40440 or later, implementation of network monitoring for unusual server identification patterns, and deployment of additional authentication layers such as mutual TLS authentication or certificate-based verification to prevent server impersonation attacks.