CVE-2023-1698 is a critical vulnerability affecting multiple products from WAGO, identified by a CVSS score of 9.8. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to create new users and change device configurations, resulting in unintended behavior, denial of service, and potential full system compromise. Given the severity of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize remediation to prevent exploitation.
The vulnerability is characterized by low attack complexity and requires no privileges or user interaction, which significantly increases its risk profile. Since the vulnerability is network-exploitable, attackers may leverage it to gain unauthorized access to critical systems, leading to severe operational disruptions.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to minimize exposure. The potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, making immediate action necessary.
As of now, public proof of concept (PoC) exploit code has been identified on GitHub, indicating that the exploit is known in the wild. Therefore, organizations must remain vigilant and take proactive measures to secure their systems.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-1698 states that it allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to create new users and modify the device configuration. This can lead to unintended behaviors in the affected WAGO products, including denial of service and complete system compromise.
The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-78, which denotes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command ('OS Command Injection'). The CVSS score of 9.8 classifies this vulnerability as critical, necessitating immediate remediation.
Affected products include various firmware versions for the WAGO Compact Controller 100, Edge Controller, PFC100, PFC200, and Touch Panel 600. Organizations using these products are strongly advised to check the firmware versions and apply necessary patches.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate authentication mechanisms within the WAGO products. Attackers are able to bypass these mechanisms due to the lack of required privileges and user interaction, allowing them to exploit the vulnerability remotely.
The attack vector is categorized as network-based, with low complexity and no prerequisites for privileges or user interaction. This allows attackers to exploit the vulnerability with relative ease, posing significant risks to organizations relying on these devices.
The impacts of this vulnerability are severe, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A successful attack could compromise sensitive data, manipulate operational functionalities, and disrupt services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing WAGO products face a significant risk due to CVE-2023-1698. The potential for unauthorized user creation and configuration changes could lead to unauthorized access to critical systems, resulting in operational downtime and the possibility of data breaches.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, as it affects multiple devices across various sectors. Organizations should assess their exposure and take immediate action to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations must prioritize patching and remediation efforts. The urgency for action is heightened by the fact that exploit code is publicly available, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following WAGO firmware versions are affected by CVE-2023-1698:
- Compact Controller 100 firmware (Versions 20-23) - Edge Controller firmware (Version 22) - PFC100 firmware (Versions 20-23) - PFC200 firmware (Versions 20-23) - Touch Panel 600 Advanced firmware (Version 22) - Touch Panel 600 Marine firmware (Version 22) - Touch Panel 600 Standard firmware (Version 22)
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches for the affected WAGO products immediately. If a patch is not yet available, consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected devices. Monitoring network traffic for unusual activities can also help mitigate risks.
For comprehensive security validation, organizations may utilize penetration testing to uncover other potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts and unusual configuration changes. Behavioral anomalies should be analyzed to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network signatures for the affected WAGO devices should be established to alert security teams of potential threats.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-1698 highlights the ongoing challenges in securing industrial control systems. As threats evolve, organizations must learn to adapt their security strategies. This incident underscores the importance of proactive security measures, including regular patching and comprehensive security assessments.
Organizations should consider enhancing their defenses with application security assessments to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Additionally, maintaining a strong incident response plan can help organizations mitigate the impact of potential exploits. Continuous monitoring and updating of security practices are essential to address emerging threats.
For further insights on adapting to evolving threats, organizations can refer to our blog on vulnerability management programs.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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