CVE-2023-38584 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-38584, impacts the cMT3000 HMI Web CGI device developed by Weintek. This vulnerability could potentially enable an anonymous attacker to manipulate control flow and circumvent login authentication.

Understanding CVE-2023-38584

Weintek's cMT3000 HMI Web CGI device is susceptible to a critical stack-based buffer overflow which poses severe security risks. This vulnerability was reported by Hank Chen from PSIRT and Threat Research of TXOne Networks, and affects various versions of several Weintek products.

What is CVE-2023-38584?

The CVE-2023-38584 vulnerability resides in the cgi-bin command_wb.cgi of the Weintek cMT3000 HMI Web CGI device. Exploitation of this flaw could allow a malicious actor to exploit the stack-based buffer overflow, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system's security.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38584

The impact of CVE-2023-38584 is categorized as critical, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating a high likelihood of exploitation. The vulnerability could result in unauthorized control over the affected device, paving the way for malicious activities such as data theft or system manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38584

The vulnerability is characterized by a stack-based buffer overflow in the Weintek cMT3000 HMI Web CGI device's cgi-bin command_wb.cgi. The flaw allows attackers to potentially take control of the affected system and bypass login authentication.

Vulnerability Description

In the Weintek cMT3000 HMI Web CGI device, the cgi-bin command_wb.cgi contains a stack-based buffer overflow, which could allow an anonymous attacker to hijack control flow and bypass login authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Several Weintek products, including cMT-FHD, cMT-HDM, cMT3071, cMT3072, cMT3103, cMT3090, and cMT3151, are impacted by this vulnerability, with specific versions outlined for each product.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by an anonymous attacker over the network without the need for advanced privileges. By sending specially crafted requests to the cgi-bin command_wb.cgi, an attacker could trigger the buffer overflow and compromise the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-38584 vulnerability, users are strongly advised to follow Weintek's recommended security measures and apply the necessary updates to the affected products.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should refer to Weintek's Upgrade Instructions to update the cMT-FHD, cMT-HDM, cMT3071, cMT3072, cMT3103, cMT3090, and cMT3151 to the latest versions. This update includes patches to mitigate the identified security flaw.

Long-Term Security Practices

Apart from immediate updates, organizations should also implement robust security practices such as network segmentation, access control, and regular security audits to enhance overall resilience against such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

For additional information and detailed guidance on updating the affected products, users can refer to Weintek's security bulletin available on their official website.