Overview
A critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-23177, has been identified in several software products, posing a significant threat to system security. This vulnerability, rooted in CWE-427, involves an Uncontrolled Search Path Element that can lead to potential system compromise or data leakage. Given the severity of this vulnerability, understanding its nature, impact, and mitigation measures is crucial for businesses and organizations to effectively safeguard their systems.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-23177
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.6)
Attack Vector: Local Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
[Product 1] | All versions prior to [version number]
[Product 2] | Versions 2.0 to 3.1
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by manipulating the search path element, a component of the software that helps locate the necessary libraries or components to perform its functions. An attacker can introduce malicious elements into the search path, which the software may then inadvertently use. This could enable unauthorized access, data leakage, or even full system compromise.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited.
POST /vulnerable/endpoint HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{
"malicious_payload": "Injected path: /malicious/directory"
}In this example, the attacker sends a HTTP POST request to a vulnerable endpoint on the target server. The malicious payload instructs the server to include a path to a malicious directory, which could contain harmful scripts or commands.
Mitigation
Vulnerable systems should apply the vendor-released patch immediately to mitigate this vulnerability. In situations where immediate patching is not possible, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can offer temporary protection by detecting and blocking potential exploits. However, these are not long-term solutions and patching must be prioritized to fully secure systems against CVE-2025-23177.
