CVE-2023-2866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-2866 is related to an insufficient type distinction vulnerability found in Advantech WebAccess version 8.4.5, allowing an attacker to execute a web shell and gain full control over the SCADA server.

Understanding CVE-2023-2866

This section will delve into the details of what CVE-2023-2866 entails.

What is CVE-2023-2866?

The vulnerability involves an attacker tricking an authenticated user into loading a malicious .zip file onto Advantech WebAccess version 8.4.5, which then enables the attacker to utilize a web shell for taking over the SCADA server.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2866

With a base severity rating of "HIGH" and an overall CVSS score of 7.3, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The attack complexity is low, but the impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity is high, requiring user interaction for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2866

This section will expound on the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2866.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient type distinction in Advantech WebAccess version 8.4.5, allowing for the execution of a web shell and subsequently granting full control of the SCADA server to an attacker.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is "WebAccess/SCADA" by Advantech, specifically version 8.4.5, making systems with this configuration vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By enticing an authorized user to load a specially crafted .zip file, the attacker can trigger the vulnerability and use a web shell to gain unauthorized control over the SCADA server.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will explore the measures to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-2866.

Immediate Steps to Take

Advantech suggests two immediate actions: deleting the "WADashboardSetup.msi" file and uninstalling "WebAccess Dashboard" if using version 8.4.5 to avoid the issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, regular security audits, and employee training on recognizing phishing attempts can enhance long-term security posture against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Advantech has released version V9.1.4 to address the vulnerability. Users are recommended to update to this version or apply the recommended workarounds mentioned earlier to mitigate the risk of exploitation.