CVE-2023-6357 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8. This vulnerability allows a low-privileged remote attacker to exploit the vulnerability and inject additional system commands via file system libraries, which could give the attacker full control of the device. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and manipulation of critical systems.
As the exploitation status is currently not confirmed with known exploits, organizations should still prioritize mitigation due to the potential impact. The urgency for defenders is high, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. This vulnerability affects several CODESYS control products, and swift action is vital to maintain security integrity.
The vulnerability was published on December 5, 2023, and its status has been modified. As the landscape of vulnerabilities continues to evolve, proactive measures should be taken to ensure robust security postures.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-6357 states that it allows a low-privileged remote attacker to inject additional system commands via file system libraries. This could grant the attacker full control of the device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78, which indicates command injection issues.
The CVSS score is 8.8, indicating high severity, with the following metrics: Attack Vector (Network), Attack Complexity (Low), Privileges Required (Low), and User Interaction (None). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as high.
Affected products include various CODESYS control systems, such as control_for_beaglebone_sl, control_for_iot2000_sl, control_for_linux_sl, and more, with versions prior to 4.11.0.0 being vulnerable.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient validation of user input when handling system commands. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability without physical access to the affected systems.
The attack complexity is low, as the attacker only requires low privileges to execute the exploit, and no user interaction is needed. The potential for high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability makes this vulnerability particularly critical.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2023-6357 is significant. Organizations utilizing affected CODESYS control products could face severe consequences, including unauthorized access to sensitive operational controls and the potential for complete system compromise.
The blast radius is extensive due to the widespread use of CODESYS control products across various industries. Given the high CVSS score, organizations should assess their exposure and take immediate action to mitigate risks.
The urgency for remediation is high, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability soon after public disclosure. Organizations should prioritize this in their patching cycles.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of CODESYS control products prior to 4.11.0.0 are affected. This includes products such as control_for_beaglebone_sl, control_for_linux_sl, control_for_pfc100_sl, and others.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches from CODESYS to remediate this vulnerability. Specifically, upgrading to version 4.11.0.0 or later is recommended. If immediate patching is not possible, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to vulnerable systems can help mitigate risks.
In addition, organizations should consider performing a comprehensive security assessment to identify any other potential vulnerabilities. Continuous security testing is also advisable to ensure that systems remain secure.
For further assistance, organizations can explore our penetration testing services to validate the efficacy of applied security measures.
Detection Guidance
To identify potential exploitation of CVE-2023-6357, organizations should monitor logs for unusual command executions or suspicious network activity originating from the affected systems. Behavioral anomalies, especially those involving unauthorized access attempts, should also be analyzed.
Network signatures that match known exploitation patterns should be implemented for detection. Regular system audits can help uncover unauthorized configuration changes.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-6357 represents a critical area of concern within the CODESYS ecosystem, highlighting the importance of secure coding practices and regular updates. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities.
Organizations should leverage insights from this type of vulnerability to reinforce their security frameworks. Continuous education and training for developers on secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For more information on CODESYS vulnerabilities and security best practices, consider our penetration testing methodology, or explore our guide on vulnerability management programs to build a more resilient security posture.
Lastly, staying informed of emerging threats and vulnerabilities is key to maintaining a strong defense against potential attacks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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