ICS Advisory

​Keysight N6845A Geolocation Server

Release Date
Alert Code
​​ICSA-23-199-02

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • ​CVSS v3 7.8
  • ​ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
  • ​Vendor: Keysight Technologies
  • ​Equipment: N6854A Geolocation Server
  • ​Vulnerabilities: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function, Relative Path Traversal

2. RISK EVALUATION

​Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to escalate privileges, execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial-of-service condition.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

​The following Keysight monitoring products are affected: 

  • ​N6854A Geolocation Server versions 2.4.2 and prior

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 ​EXPOSED DANGEROUS METHOD OR FUNCTION CWE-749

​In Keysight Geolocation Server v2.4.2 and prior, a low privileged attacker could create a local ZIP file containing a malicious script in any location. The attacker could abuse this to load a DLL with SYSTEM privileges.

CVE-2023-36853 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.2 ​RELATIVE PATH TRAVERSAL CWE-23

In Keysight Geolocation Server v2.4.2 and prior, an attacker could upload a specially crafted malicious file or delete any file or directory with SYSTEM privileges due to an improper path validation, which could result in local privilege escalation or a denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2023-34394 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • ​CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Communications, Government
  • ​COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • ​COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

​Steven Seeley (mr_me) of Source Incite reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

​Keysight recommends upgrading the N6854A Geolocation server to version 2.4.3.

​CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should:

  • ​Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • ​Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.
  • ​When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.

​CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

​CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

​Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

​Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

​No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Vendor

Keysight Technologies