CVE-2023-3825 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published by the assigner organization ICS-CERT on July 31, 2023. The vulnerability affects PTC's KEPServerEX versions 6.0 to 6.14.263 and can lead to uncontrolled resource consumption. The CVE-2023-3825 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

Understanding CVE-2023-3825

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-3825, exploring what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact on systems.

What is CVE-2023-3825?

CVE-2023-3825 refers to a vulnerability in PTC's KEPServerEX versions 6.0 to 6.14.263 that allows for the reading of a recursively defined object, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption. The vulnerability arises due to a lack of checks in place to prevent recursively defined objects from being processed, potentially leading to device crashes.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3825

The impact of CVE-2023-3825 is significant, as threat actors could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service attacks by overwhelming the device with malicious messages, triggering stack overflows and subsequent system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3825

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-3825, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in PTC's KEPServerEX versions 6.0 to 6.14.263 allows for the reading of a recursively defined object, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption. The lack of checks for recursively defined objects enables attackers to send crafted messages, causing the decoder to process them until system resources are exhausted.

Affected Systems and Versions

PTC's KEPServerEX versions 6.0 to 6.14.263 are affected by CVE-2023-3825, making systems running these versions susceptible to uncontrolled resource consumption and potential denial of service attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-3825 involves sending malicious messages containing recursively defined objects to KEPServerEX, triggering the decoder to process these messages recursively until system resources are depleted, resulting in device crashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating CVE-2023-3825 requires immediate action to secure affected systems and prevent potential exploitation. Here are some crucial steps to take:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update KEPServerEX to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement network-level controls to filter out potentially malicious messages targeting the vulnerability.
Monitor system resources closely for any signs of unusual resource consumption that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
Train employees and system administrators on best security practices to prevent successful exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

PTC may release patches or updates to address CVE-2023-3825. It is crucial for organizations using KEPServerEX to regularly check for updates and apply patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure system security.