CVE-2023-2637 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-2637 article provides detailed information about a vulnerability found in Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services, leading to the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key.

Understanding CVE-2023-2637

This vulnerability allows a local, authenticated non-admin user to generate an invalid administrator cookie, obtaining administrative privileges to the FactoryTalk Policy Manager database. The issue presents a risk of privilege escalation and potentially malicious actions by threat actors.

What is CVE-2023-2637?

Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services utilize a hard-coded cryptographic key to create administrator cookies, which could be exploited by an authenticated non-admin user to gain unauthorized administrative access to the database. User interaction is necessary for successful exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2637

The vulnerability has a high impact on availability, with a CVSS base score of 7.3, indicating a high severity level. There is a risk of privilege escalation, potentially leading to unauthorized changes to the database deployed when a legitimate user configures a security policy model.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2637

This section delves into specific technical aspects of the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key in generating administrator cookies, enabling unauthorized users to escalate privileges and perform malicious actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services version <= 6.20 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users operating on these versions are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated non-admin user can generate an invalid administrator cookie by leveraging the hard-coded cryptographic key, granting them unauthorized access to the FactoryTalk Policy Manager database.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-2637 and enhance security posture, the following measures are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply risk mitigations promptly. Upgrading to version 6.30.00 or later, which includes patches to address the vulnerability, is crucial in preventing exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust authentication mechanisms, restricting administrative access, and regularly monitoring for unauthorized activities can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update software and apply patches provided by Rockwell Automation to ensure the latest security enhancements are in place, reducing the risk of exploitation associated with the CVE-2023-2637 vulnerability.