CVE-2023-42137 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2023-42137, a critical vulnerability in PAX Android-based POS terminals allowing attackers to execute commands with high privileges via malicious symlinks.
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in PAX Android-based POS terminals manufactured by PAX Technology. This vulnerability, assigned the CVE ID CVE-2023-42137, allows attackers to execute commands with high privileges using malicious symlinks.
Understanding CVE-2023-42137
This section provides an overview of the CVE-2023-42137 vulnerability affecting PAX Android-based POS terminals.
What is CVE-2023-42137?
PAX Android-based POS devices running PayDroid_8.1.0_Sagittarius_V11.1.50_20230614 or earlier are susceptible to a privilege escalation vulnerability (CAPEC-233). Attackers can exploit this issue to execute commands with elevated privileges by leveraging malicious symlinks.
The Impact of CVE-2023-42137
The impact of this vulnerability is significant, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). It can lead to unauthorized command execution and privilege escalation on affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-42137
In this section, we delve into the technical specifics of the CVE-2023-42137 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to improper input validation (CWE-20) in PAX Android-based POS devices, allowing attackers to create malicious symlinks for executing commands with elevated privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
PAX Android-based POS devices with software versions up to PayDroid_8.1.0_Sagittarius_V11.1.50_20230614 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit CVE-2023-42137, attackers must first gain shell access to the targeted device. By leveraging malicious symlinks, they can execute commands with high privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2023-42137 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
Security teams should restrict shell access to POS terminals, apply vendor-supplied patches promptly, and monitor for any suspicious activities on the network.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring timely software updates can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Vendor-provided updates and patches should be applied as soon as they are available to address the CVE-2023-42137 vulnerability effectively.