CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-25492NVD status: Modified

XClarity Controller: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-25492 is a high-severity use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability in XClarity Controller from Lenovo, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected XClarity Controller versions: See product security advisory below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.51% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Thinkagile Hx5530 Firmware to 2.93_afbt30p or a later version.
  2. Update Thinkagile Hx7530 Firmware to 2.93_afbt30p or a later version.
  3. Update Thinkagile Vx3331 Firmware to 2.93_afbt30p or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on support.lenovo.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
LenovoXClarity ControllerSee product security advisory belowNot stated
LenovoThinkagile Hx5530 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx7530 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Vx3331 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx Enclosure Firmwarebefore 3.72_tei388s3.72_tei388s
LenovoThinkagile Hx1021 Firmwarebefore 3.72_tei388s3.72_tei388s
LenovoThinkagile Hx1320 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx1321 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx1331 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx1520-r Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx1521-r Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx2320-e Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx2321 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx2330 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p; 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx2331 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx2720-e Firmwarebefore 3.72_tei388s3.72_tei388s
LenovoThinkagile Hx3320 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx3321 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx3330 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p2.93_afbt30p
LenovoThinkagile Hx3331 Firmwarebefore 2.93_afbt30p; before 4.71_d8bt48p2.93_afbt30p, 4.71_d8bt48p
LenovoThinkagile Hx3375 Firmwarebefore 4.71_d8bt48p4.71_d8bt48p
LenovoThinkagile Hx3376 Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx3520-g Firmwarebefore 8.88_cdi3a4a8.88_cdi3a4a
LenovoThinkagile Hx3521-g Firmwarebefore 3.72_tei388s3.72_tei388s
LenovoThinkagile Hx3720 Firmwarebefore 3.72_tei388s3.72_tei388s

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. 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
LowA basic user account is enough.
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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.3MediumCNA (lenovo.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

A valid, authenticated user may be able to trigger a denial of service of the XCC web user interface or other undefined behavior through a format string injection vulnerability in a web interface API.

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

The underlying weakness: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
  • Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings.
  • Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.

More Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities (CWE-134)

Timeline

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

References

Other vulnerabilities in XClarity Controller

All XClarity Controller vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities

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