Overview
A critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-47030, has been discovered in NCR Terminal Handler v.1.5.1. This vulnerability could potentially allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and access sensitive information. The issue arises via a GET request to a UserService SOAP API endpoint, and the aim is to validate whether a user exists or not. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it’s of utmost importance for organizations using this software to understand the risk it poses and take immediate measures to mitigate the impact.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2023-47030
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise, sensitive information disclosure
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
NCR Terminal Handler | v.1.5.1
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability is exploited by sending a specially crafted GET request to a UserService SOAP API endpoint. The attacker does not need any prior authentication, and no user interaction is required, making it a highly attractive target for malicious entities. The GET request is designed to validate if a user exists, but due to improper input validation, it can allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code and access sensitive information.
Conceptual Example Code
A conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited could look like this:
GET /UserService/ValidateUser?username=arbitrary_code HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable-terminal.example.com
Content-Type: text/xml
SOAPAction: "urn:ValidateUser"
{ "malicious_payload": "..." }In this example, the “arbitrary_code” in the username parameter and the “malicious_payload” in the SOAPAction are placeholders for the actual malicious code an attacker would use.
Mitigation
Users of NCR Terminal Handler v.1.5.1 are strongly advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as they can to mitigate this vulnerability. In the meantime, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as temporary mitigation against potential attacks exploiting this vulnerability.
Remember, staying updated on the latest vulnerabilities and patches is one of the most effective ways to maintain robust cybersecurity defenses.