CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-5389NVD status: Modified

ControlEdge UOC: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function

CVE-2023-5389 is a high-severity exposed dangerous method or function vulnerability in ControlEdge UOC from Honeywell, 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 ControlEdge UOC versions: 520.2 through 520.2 TCU4; 510.1 through 510.2 HF13; 520.1 through 520.1 TCU4, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.78% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 56% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of ControlEdge UOC you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. 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
HoneywellControlEdge UOC520.2 through 520.2 TCU4; 510.1 through 510.2 HF13; 520.1 through 520.1 TCU4; 511.1 through 511.5 TCU4 HF3; 520.2 TCU4 HFR2 through 511.5 TCU4 HF3Not stated
HoneywellControledge Unit Operations Controller FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
HoneywellControledge Virtual Unit Operations Controller FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot 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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
NoneAvailability is not affected.

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

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.1CriticalCNA (honeywell.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the ability to modify files on Honeywell Experion ControlEdge VirtualUOC and ControlEdge UOC . This exploit could be used to write a file that may result in unexpected behavior based on configuration changes or updating of files that could result in subsequent execution of a malicious application if triggered. Honeywell recommends updating to the most recent version of the product. See Honeywell Security Notification for recommendations on upgrading and versioning.

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

  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

Recent Exposed Dangerous Method or Function vulnerabilities

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