CVE-2023-26436 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published on June 20, 2023, with the last update on January 12, 2024, by OX. It involves a vulnerability in the "OX App Suite" software.

Understanding CVE-2023-26436

The CVE-2023-26436 vulnerability in OX App Suite allowed attackers with access to the "documentconverterws" API to inject serialized Java objects. This injection was not properly checked during deserialization. Access to this API was initially restricted to local networks. The injection of arbitrary code via this API could be executed during request processing, potentially leading to security breaches.

What is CVE-2023-26436?

The CVE-2023-26436 vulnerability allowed attackers to inject serialized Java objects through the "documentconverterws" API without proper deserialization checks. Although the API was by default restricted to local networks, unauthorized code injection could bypass this restriction, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26436

The impact of CVE-2023-26436 is considered high as it had a CVSS base score of 7.1. With a high availability, confidentiality, and integrity impact, the vulnerability did not require any special privileges to be exploited and could result in a significant threat if left unaddressed.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26436

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Code Generation), indicating a code injection risk. The CVSS v3.1 base score of the vulnerability is 7.1, denoting a high severity issue with significant potential impact.

Vulnerability Description

Attackers could inject serialized Java objects through the "documentconverterws" API without proper deserialization checks, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code during request processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects OX App Suite versions up to 7.10.6-rev7.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized individuals with access to the "documentconverterws" API could exploit the vulnerability by injecting serialized Java objects, bypassing deserialization checks to execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Given the severity of CVE-2023-26436, it is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the risk and prevent potential security breaches in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of OX App Suite to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to the "documentconverterws" API to authorized users only.
Implement strict input validation and deserialization checks to prevent code injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit API access permissions and enforce the principle of least privilege.
Educate developers and system administrators on secure coding practices and the risks associated with insecure deserialization.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from OX Software GmbH to address potential vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running OX App Suite are updated to version 7.10.6-rev7 or higher, as this version contains the necessary security fixes to address CVE-2023-26436. Stay informed about future patches and updates from OX Software GmbH to enhance the security of your systems.