CVE-2023-28824 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was published by JPCERT on June 1, 2023. It identifies a server-side request forgery vulnerability in CONPROSYS HMI System (CHS) versions before 3.5.3. This vulnerability allows a user with administrative privileges to bypass database restrictions and connect to unintended databases.

Understanding CVE-2023-28824

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28824, its impact, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28824?

CVE-2023-28824 is a server-side request forgery vulnerability found in CONPROSYS HMI System (CHS) versions before 3.5.3. This vulnerability enables an authenticated user with administrative privileges to evade database restrictions and connect to unintended databases, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data leakage.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28824

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious actors to bypass database restrictions set by the system and access databases they are not authorized to, compromising sensitive data and potentially causing further security breaches within the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28824

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28824, including its vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CONPROSYS HMI System (CHS) versions prior to 3.5.3 is due to inadequate restrictions on server-side requests, allowing users with administrative privileges to circumvent database query settings and connect to unintended databases through SSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected vendor is Contec Co., Ltd., with the product being CONPROSYS HMI System (CHS) versions before 3.5.3. Users utilizing these vulnerable versions are at risk of exploitation if proper precautions are not taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging an authenticated user's administrative privileges to send crafted requests that bypass database restrictions. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive databases and data leakage.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-28824, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, follow long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately restrict access to the affected product, monitor for any unusual database queries, and review database connection settings to ensure only intended databases are accessible.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should conduct regular security assessments, provide ongoing security awareness training, and regularly update and patch software to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Patching and Updates

Contec Co., Ltd. has released version 3.5.3 of CONPROSYS HMI System to address the server-side request forgery vulnerability. It is crucial for users to update their systems to the latest patched version to eliminate the security risk posed by CVE-2023-28824.