CVE-2023-5514 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-5514, assigned by Hitachi Energy, was published on November 1, 2023. It involves the abuse of response messages in the eSOMS report generation process, which can lead to the enumeration of the local file system structure.

Understanding CVE-2023-5514

This section will delve into the details of what CVE-2023-5514 is, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5514?

CVE-2023-5514 relates to the vulnerability in eSOMS, a product by Hitachi Energy. The issue arises when response messages from the report generation process are exploited using specific parameter queries with full file paths, allowing malicious actors to enumerate the local file system structure.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5514

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as moderate with a CVSS base score of 5.3. It falls under CAPEC-410 - Information Elicitation. While the attack complexity is low and the attack vector is through the network, confidentiality impact is low, and integrity impact is none.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5514

This section will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in eSOMS enables threat actors to abuse response messages received during report generation, specifically using certain parameter queries with full file paths. This allows them to enumerate the local file system structure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted product in this CVE is eSOMS by Hitachi Energy. The custom version 6.0 and versions less than or equal to 6.3.13 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating parameter queries with full file paths in response messages from eSOMS report generation, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information and map the file system's structure.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to restrict access to the vulnerable system, monitor for any suspicious activities, and apply security patches or updates provided by Hitachi Energy promptly. Additionally, reviewing and securing parameter queries can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access controls, conducting regular security assessments, and enhancing security awareness among users can contribute to strengthening the overall security posture of the system.

Patching and Updates

Hitachi Energy may release patches or updates to address the vulnerability in eSOMS. It is crucial for organizations to stay informed about security advisories from the vendor and apply patches in a timely manner to mitigate the risk of exploitation associated with CVE-2023-5514.