CVE-2023-2990 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-2990, a vulnerability identified in Fortra Globalscape EFT versions before 8.1.0.16 that can lead to a denial of service attack.

Understanding CVE-2023-2990

CVE-2023-2990 refers to a specific vulnerability found in Fortra Globalscape EFT versions prior to 8.1.0.16. This vulnerability can potentially be exploited by an attacker to launch a denial of service attack on the affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-2990?

The CVE-2023-2990 vulnerability in Fortra Globalscape EFT occurs when a compressed message that decompresses to itself triggers infinite recursion, ultimately leading to a crash of the service. This uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability can be leveraged by threat actors to disrupt the normal functioning of the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2990

The impact of CVE-2023-2990 can be significant, as successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in a denial of service condition on the Fortra Globalscape EFT servers. This can lead to service interruptions, downtime, and potentially affect the availability of critical services relying on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2990

The following technical details outline the specifics of the CVE-2023-2990 vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Fortra Globalscape EFT versions before 8.1.0.16 stems from uncontrolled resource consumption, specifically caused by a compressed message that triggers infinite recursion, resulting in a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Platform: Windows
Product: Fortra Globalscape EFT
Vendor: Fortra
Affected Version: 8.0.0
Vulnerable Version: Versions before 8.1.0.16

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted compressed message to the Fortra Globalscape EFT server, causing it to decompress infinitely and exhaust system resources, leading to a service crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-2990 vulnerability and mitigate the associated risks, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Fortra Globalscape EFT to version 8.1.0.16 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of malicious activity targeting the EFT server.
Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and apply security patches and updates to all software and systems.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate system administrators and users about potential security risks and best practices for maintaining a secure environment.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay informed about security advisories and updates from Fortra related to Fortra Globalscape EFT. Promptly apply patches and updates released by the vendor to ensure the security of your systems and prevent potential exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2990.