SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2023-31175 is a critical-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, 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 4.5.0.20 as the first without the flaw, so updating SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator to 4.5.0.20 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on selinc.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories | SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator | before 4.5.0.20 | 4.5.0.20 |
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 system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (selinc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
An Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability in the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator could allow an attacker to run system commands with the highest level privilege on the system. See Instruction Manual Appendix A and Appendix E dated 20230615 for more details. This issue affects SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator: before 4.5.0.20.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that 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.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- nozominetworks.com/blog/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in SEL-5037 SEL Grid Configurator
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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