CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-0636NVD status: Modified

ASPECT®-Enterprise: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-0636 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in ASPECT®-Enterprise from ABB, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.07.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating ASPECT®-Enterprise to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.31% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 71% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update ASPECT®-Enterprise to 3.07.0 or a later version.
  2. Update NEXUS Series to 3.07.0 or a later version.
  3. Update MATRIX Series to 3.07.1 or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on search.abb.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ABBASPECT®-Enterprise3.0;0 up to, but not including, 3.07.03.07.0
ABBNEXUS Series3.0;0 up to, but not including, 3.07.03.07.0
ABBMATRIX Series3.0;0 up to, but not including, 3.07.13.07.1
ABBAspect-ent-2 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBAspect-ent-12 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBAspect-ent-256 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBAspect-ent-96 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-2128 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-2128-a Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-2128-g Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-2128-f Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-3-2128 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-3-264 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-264 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-264-a Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-264-g Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBNexus-264-f Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBMatrix-216 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBMatrix-232 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBMatrix-296 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBMatrix-264 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01
ABBMatrix-11 Firmware3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.07.013.07.01

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.2HighCNA (ch.abb.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD

Official description

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in ABB Ltd. ASPECT®-Enterprise on ASPECT®-Enterprise, Linux (2CQG103201S3021, 2CQG103202S3021, 2CQG103203S3021, 2CQG103204S3021 modules), ABB Ltd. NEXUS Series on NEXUS Series, Linux (2CQG100102R2021, 2CQG100104R2021, 2CQG100105R2021, 2CQG100106R2021, 2CQG100110R2021, 2CQG100112R2021, 2CQG100103R2021, 2CQG100107R2021, 2CQG100108R2021, 2CQG100109R2021, 2CQG100111R2021, 2CQG100113R2021 modules), ABB Ltd. MATRIX Series on MATRIX Series, Linux (2CQG100102R1021, 2CQG100103R1021, 2CQG100104R1021, 2CQG100105R1021, 2CQG100106R1021 modules) allows Command Injection.This issue affects ASPECT®-Enterprise: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.0; NEXUS Series: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.0; MATRIX Series: from 3.0;0 before 3.07.1.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
  • Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in ASPECT®-Enterprise

All ASPECT®-Enterprise vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities

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