CVE-2023-27409 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (All versions < V2.1) by Siemens, allowing an authenticated attacker to perform path traversal via the

mac

parameter in the

deviceinfo

binary.

Understanding CVE-2023-27409

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-27409, outlining the vulnerability and its impact, along with technical specifics.

What is CVE-2023-27409?

CVE-2023-27409 is a path traversal vulnerability discovered in the SCALANCE LPE9403 device from Siemens. It enables an authenticated attacker with SSH interface access to potentially read the contents of any file named

address

.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27409

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the risk posed by an attacker who can exploit the path traversal flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files on the affected device, potentially leading to data leakage or manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27409

In this section, the technical aspects of CVE-2023-27409 are explored, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in SCALANCE LPE9403 (< V2.1) allows for improper limitation of a pathname, enabling unauthorized traversal to restricted directories, specifically via the

mac

parameter in the

deviceinfo

binary.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system identified in this CVE is the SCALANCE LPE9403 device from Siemens, with all versions prior to V2.1 being vulnerable to the path traversal exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the

mac

parameter in the

deviceinfo

binary through the SSH interface, potentially accessing files named

address

on the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on measures to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-27409, encompassing immediate actions to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2023-27409, users should restrict access to the SSH interface, monitor and review SSH authentication logs for any suspicious activity, and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, including regular security assessments, training for staff on secure configuration practices, and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities in their network devices.

Patching and Updates

Siemens users of SCALANCE LPE9403 devices should promptly apply the necessary patches or updates provided by the vendor to mitigate the path traversal vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the affected systems.