CVE-2023-6179 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-6179 affects Honeywell's ProWatch version 4.5, including all Service Pack versions. The vulnerability lies in the Application Server's executable folders, allowing an attacker to potentially exploit it and execute arbitrary system code, leading to a serious impact on system integrity and confidentiality. It was published by Honeywell on November 17, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-6179

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-6179, outlining what it is, its impact, technical description, affected systems and versions, as well as mitigation and prevention measures.

What is CVE-2023-6179?

CVE-2023-6179 is a vulnerability found in Honeywell's ProWatch version 4.5 and affects the Application Server's executable folders. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary system code, posing a significant risk to system security and integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6179

The impact of CVE-2023-6179, classified under CAPEC-122 Privilege Abuse, is severe. It could lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access to critical resources, compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6179

This section will provide technical details about the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ProWatch version 4.5 allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the Application Server's executable folders, enabling them to execute arbitrary system code. This could result in a complete system compromise and data breach.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected version is ProWatch 4.5, including all Service Pack versions, while versions 6.0.2, 6.0, 5.5.2, and 5.0.5 are confirmed to be unaffected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with low privileges to manipulate program executable folders, leading to the execution of malicious code and unauthorized actions within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-6179, it is crucial to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to mitigate the risk effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of ProWatch (6.0.2, 6.0, 5.5.2, 5.0.5) as recommended by Honeywell to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs and network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Implement least privilege access control to restrict user permissions and limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address security weaknesses in the system.

Patching and Updates

Honeywell has released patches and updates to address the vulnerability in ProWatch version 4.5. It is essential to stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to protect systems from potential exploits.