CVE-2023-2917
Published: 17 August 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-2917 is a critical-severity Improper Input Validation (CWE-20) vulnerability in Rockwellautomation Thinmanager Thinserver. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 2.5% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The Rockwell Automation ThinManager ThinServer is affected by an improper input validation vulnerability that manifests as a path traversal flaw. When processing a specific function, the software fails to sanitize the filename field in incoming messages, allowing writes to arbitrary paths on the disk volume hosting ThinServer.exe. The issue is tracked under CWE-20 and CWE-22 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the flaw by sending a crafted synchronization-protocol message containing a malicious filename. Successful exploitation permits upload of arbitrary files into the ThinServer installation directory, which may be leveraged for remote code execution. No authentication or user interaction is required, and the attack can be launched over the network.
The vendor has published an advisory at https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1140471 that addresses the issue. The current EPSS score of 0.4069, with a peak of 0.4128, indicates sustained moderate exploitation interest since disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-34363
Vulnerability details
The Rockwell Automation Thinmanager Thinserver is impacted by an improper input validation vulnerability. Due to an improper input validation, a path traversal vulnerability exists, via the filename field, when the ThinManager processes a certain function. If exploited, an unauthenticated remote…
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attacker can upload arbitrary files to any directory on the disk drive where ThinServer.exe is installed. A malicious user could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted synchronization protocol message and potentially gain remote code execution abilities.
- 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.
Directly implements checks on information inputs to reject invalid data before processing.
Security testing and developer training directly verify and enforce proper input validation, reducing exploitability of injection and malformed-data weaknesses.
Security testing and evaluation at multiple SDLC stages directly detects missing or flawed input validation, with the required remediation process ensuring fixes are applied.
Spam protection mechanisms perform filtering and detection on inbound/outbound messages, directly compensating for missing or weak input validation of unsolicited content.