CVE-2023-3324 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-3324 article provides detailed information about a security vulnerability affecting ABB Ability™ zenon.

Understanding CVE-2023-3324

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-3324, shedding light on its nature and impact.

What is CVE-2023-3324?

CVE-2023-3324 involves an insecure deserialization vulnerability in zenon internal DLLs. It allows low-privileged users to read and update data in directories used by the Zenon system, potentially enabling attackers to exploit the system using specially crafted programs.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3324

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a base score of 6.3 according to CVSS v3.1 metrics. It could result in a high impact on availability and integrity, making it crucial to address promptly.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3324

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the ability of low-privileged users to manipulate data in Zenon directories, potentially leading to unauthorized access and malicious code execution on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts ABB Ability™ zenon versions from 11 build through 11 build 106404, highlighting the importance of updating to secure versions promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by running specially crafted programs on Zenon installed hosts, leveraging the insecure deserialization to gain unauthorized access and potentially disrupt system operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines actionable steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-3324, emphasizing immediate and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address the vulnerability, users are advised to remove specific files associated with the vulnerable BinaryFormatter class in the Engineering Studio and Service Engine components, ensuring that potentially malicious content is not deserialized.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and staying informed about software updates can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future and enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

ABB users are recommended to apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-3324 and ensure the security of their Zenon systems against potential exploits.