CVE-2023-24523 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record pertains to a security vulnerability with the identifier CVE-2023-24523 that was published on February 14, 2023, by SAP. The vulnerability affects the Host Agent Service versions 7.21 and 7.22. An attacker authenticated as a non-admin user with local access to a server port assigned to the SAP Host Agent can exploit this vulnerability, potentially leading to the execution of unauthorized operating system commands with administrator privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-24523

This section delves into the details surrounding CVE-2023-24523, including its description, impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-24523?

The vulnerability allows an attacker with specific access to the SAP Host Agent versions 7.21 and 7.22 to execute malicious operating system commands with elevated privileges. This could result in unauthorized access to user or system data and potential system unavailability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24523

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 and a CVSS severity rating of High, the impact of this vulnerability is significant. The attack complexity is considered low, and the attacker requires low privileges. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system are all rated as high impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24523

In this section, we will explore specific technical details of the CVE-2023-24523 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a flaw that lets an authenticated non-admin user on the SAP Host Agent execute crafted operating system commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and data manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability affects systems running SAP Host Agent versions 7.21 and 7.22. Organizations using these specific versions are at risk of exploitation by threat actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit involves submitting a specially crafted ConfigureOutsideDiscovery request on a server port assigned to the SAP Host Agent. By doing so, an attacker can execute malicious operating system commands with administrator privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-24523 is crucial for safeguarding systems against potential threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should implement access controls and restrict non-admin user privileges to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Applying the necessary security patches and updates provided by SAP for the affected Host Agent Service versions is essential to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify and address vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Providing security awareness training to employees can help prevent social engineering attacks that may target system vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

SAP has released patches and updates to address the CVE-2023-24523 vulnerability in the affected Host Agent Service versions. It is vital for organizations to promptly apply these patches to secure their systems and data from potential exploitation.