Ignition: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function
CVE-2023-38124 is a high-severity exposed dangerous method or function vulnerability in Ignition from Inductive Automation, 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 Ignition versions: 8.1.24. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 59.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.86% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Check which version of Ignition you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on inductiveautomation.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inductive Automation | Ignition | 8.1.24 | Not stated |
| Inductiveautomation | ignition | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
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
- 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 system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.0 | 7.2 | High | CNA (trendmicro.com) |
Official description
Inductive Automation Ignition OPC UA Quick Client Task Scheduling Exposed Dangerous Function Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Inductive Automation Ignition. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Ignition Gateway server. The issue results from the exposure of a dangerous function. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-20541.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function
The product provides an Applications Programming Interface (API) or similar interface for interaction with external actors, but the interface includes a dangerous method or function that is not properly restricted.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If you must expose a method, make sure to perform input validation on all arguments, limit access to authorized parties, and protect against all possible vulnerabilities.
- Identify all exposed functionality. Explicitly list all functionality that must be exposed to some user or set of users. Identify which functionality may be: accessible to all users restricted to a small set of privileged users prevented from being directly accessible at all Ensure that the implemented code follows these expectations. This includes setting the appropriate access modifiers where applicable (public, private, protected, etc.) or not marking ActiveX controls safe-for-scripting.
More Exposed Dangerous Method or Function vulnerabilities (CWE-749)
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
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1015/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Ignition
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Exposed Dangerous Method or Function vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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