CVE-2023-2758 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2758 involves a denial of service vulnerability found in Contec CONPROSYS HMI System versions 3.5.2 and earlier. The vulnerability allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to deny logins for an extended period by exploiting a time-zone mismatch in certain configuration files.

Understanding CVE-2023-2758

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-2758, highlighting its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-2758?

CVE-2023-2758 refers to a denial of service vulnerability in the Contec CONPROSYS HMI System. The flaw allows attackers to disrupt the login functionality by exploiting time-zone discrepancies in specific configuration files, leading to denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2758

The impact of CVE-2023-2758 is considered low, with a base severity score of 3.7 out of 10. Although the availability impact is rated as low, the attack complexity is considered high due to the network-based vector of the vulnerability. The confidentiality and integrity of the system remain unaffected.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2758

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Contec CONPROSYS HMI System versions 3.5.2 and prior arises from a time-zone mismatch in certain configuration files. This mismatch allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to disrupt the login process, leading to a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the CONPROSYS HMI System by Contec, specifically version 3.5.2 and earlier. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of being targeted by attackers leveraging this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the time-zone mismatch in the configuration files of the Contec CONPROSYS HMI System, remote attackers can trigger a denial of service scenario. This can result in prolonged periods of login unavailability for legitimate users.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to take immediately to address the CVE-2023-2758 vulnerability, as well as long-term security practices and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-2758, users are advised to apply vendor-supplied patches, implement network segmentation to restrict access, and monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate an attempted exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations are encouraged to implement robust security measures such as regular security assessments, timely application of patches and updates, user awareness training, and proactive incident response planning to enhance overall cybersecurity posture and resilience.

Patching and Updates

Vendor-provided patches addressing the CVE-2023-2758 vulnerability should be promptly applied to affected systems. Regularly updating systems and software, along with implementing security best practices, is crucial to safeguarding against potential threats and vulnerabilities in the future.