CVE-2023-23836
Published: 15 February 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-23836 is a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Solarwinds Orion Platform. Its CVSS base score is 7.2 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
SolarWinds Platform version 2022.4.1 contains a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability (CWE-502) in the Orion Web Console component. The flaw is rated 7.2 on CVSS 3.1 with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that successful exploitation requires network-reachable admin credentials but then yields full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
An authenticated remote attacker who already possesses Orion admin-level access to the SolarWinds Web Console can supply a malicious serialized object that the platform deserializes without validation, resulting in arbitrary command execution on the underlying host. Because the attack is authenticated and originates from a privileged account, it does not rely on user interaction or additional network pivots once console access is obtained.
SolarWinds has addressed the issue in the Platform 2023.1 release, as documented in the corresponding release notes and the vendor’s security advisory for CVE-2023-23836. Administrators are advised to upgrade affected 2022.4.1 installations and to review the hardening guidance published with the advisory. The CVE maintains a stable EPSS score of 0.6717, reflecting sustained exploitation interest after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-27922
Vulnerability details
SolarWinds Platform version 2022.4.1 was found to be susceptible to the Deserialization of Untrusted Data. This vulnerability allows a remote adversary with Orion admin-level account access to the SolarWinds Web Console to execute arbitrary commands.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing supplies malicious serialized objects, detecting unsafe deserialization and supporting corrective actions.
Evaluation of untrusted data handling (deserialization testing) reveals unsafe processing, which the required remediation process addresses.
Untrusted serialized data can be deserialized and observed inside the chamber, blocking gadget-chain exploitation outside the sandbox.
Validates or rejects untrusted serialized data before deserialization occurs.
Identifies and blocks malicious code introduced through deserialization of untrusted data at system boundaries.
Integrity verification of serialized information can detect tampering before deserialization occurs.
Provenance of associated data allows detection of untrusted sources before deserialization or processing occurs.