CVE-2023-47039 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was found in Perl that affects both Windows and Linux systems. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a binary hijacking flaw in Perl for Windows.

Understanding CVE-2023-47039

This CVE identifies a security issue in Perl where the interpreter attempts to find and execute

cmd.exe

in the operating system, leading to potential code execution from compromised locations.

What is CVE-2023-47039?

The vulnerability in Perl for Windows arises from a path search order issue that lets an attacker with limited privileges place

cmd.exe

in weak permission locations, enabling the execution of arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2023-47039

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as High due to its potential for confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact in affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-47039

This vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8, indicating a High severity level. The attack complexity is low, requiring only local access with low privileges to exploit the flaw.

Vulnerability Description

Perl for Windows relies on the system path environment variable to find

cmd.exe

, leading to a path search order issue that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

perl 5.32.1: Unaffected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 7, 8, 9: Versions of Perl are unaffected.
Fedora: Various versions of Perl are unaffected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The flaw in Perl's path search order allows attackers to place

cmd.exe

in compromised locations, such as

C:\ProgramData

, to trigger the execution of arbitrary code when legitimate users run specific executables.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-47039, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches related to Perl and affected systems.
Ensure that executables are run from trusted locations to prevent arbitrary code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access controls and permissions to restrict unauthorized access to critical system directories.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches provided by Perl and ensure that systems are updated with the necessary fixes to address this vulnerability.