CVE-2023-5136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published by National Instruments (NI) on November 8, 2023, highlighting an issue related to incorrect permission assignment in the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX.

Understanding CVE-2023-5136

This CVE-2023-5136 entry pertains to a vulnerability found in the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX software developed by NI. The flaw could potentially lead to information disclosure if exploited by a malicious actor.

What is CVE-2023-5136?

The CVE-2023-5136 vulnerability involves an incorrect permission assignment within the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information by tricking a user into opening a specially crafted data file.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5136

The impact of CVE-2023-5136 is categorized under CAPEC-180, which refers to exploiting incorrectly configured access control security levels. In this case, the vulnerability has a moderate severity level with a base score of 5.5 in terms of CVSS v3.1 metrics.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5136

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an incorrect permission assignment in the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX, potentially leading to unauthorized access and information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following NI products are affected by this vulnerability:

TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX (Version less than 2023 Q4)
DIAdem (Version less than 2023 Q2)
VeriStand (Version less than or equal to 2023 Q4)
FlexLogger (Version less than or equal to 2023 Q4)

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating a user into opening a maliciously crafted data file, thereby gaining access to sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5136, here are some recommended mitigation steps and best security practices to prevent exploitation:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX to the latest version.
Educate users about the importance of not opening suspicious or untrusted files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software to patch known vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement access control measures to restrict unauthorized access to critical resources.
Conduct security training and awareness programs for employees to recognize and report potential security risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected NI products, especially the TopoGrafix DataPlugin for GPX, are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation related to incorrect permission assignments.