Mendix Applications using Mendix 7: Improper Access Control
CVE-2023-23835 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Mendix Applications using Mendix 7 from Siemens, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Mendix Applications using Mendix 7 versions: All versions < V7.23.34. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Mendix to 7.23.34 or 8.18.23 or 9.6.15 or 9.12.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 7 | All versions < V7.23.34 | Not stated |
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 | All versions < V8.18.23 | Not stated |
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 | All versions < V9.22.0 | Not stated |
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.12) | All versions < V9.12.10 | Not stated |
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.18) | All versions < V9.18.4 | Not stated |
| Siemens | Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.6) | All versions < V9.6.15 | Not stated |
| Mendix | Mendix | 7.0.2 up to, but not including, 7.23.34; 8.0.0 up to, but not including, 8.18.23; 9.0.0 up to, but not including, 9.6.15; 9.7.0 up to, but not including, 9.12.10; 9.18.0 up to, but not including, 9.18.4; 9.19.0 up to, but not including, 9.22.0 | 7.23.34, 8.18.23, 9.6.15, 9.12.10, 9.18.4, 9.22.0 |
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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.9 | Medium | CNA (siemens.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability has been identified in Mendix Applications using Mendix 7 (All versions < V7.23.34), Mendix Applications using Mendix 8 (All versions < V8.18.23), Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (All versions < V9.22.0), Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.12) (All versions < V9.12.10), Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.18) (All versions < V9.18.4), Mendix Applications using Mendix 9 (V9.6) (All versions < V9.6.15). Some of the Mendix runtime API’s allow attackers to bypass XPath constraints and retrieve information using XPath queries that trigger errors.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-252808.pdfRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Mendix Applications using Mendix 7
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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