1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CVSS v3 7.8
ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
Vendor: Keysight Technologies
Equipment: N6854A Geolocation Sever
Vulnerability: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to escalate privileges in the affected device’s default configuration, resulting in remote code execution or deleting system files and folders.

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    DESERIALIZATION OF UNTRUSTED DATA CWE-502

N6854A Geolocation Server versions 2.4.2 are vulnerable to untrusted data deserialization, which may allow a malicious actor to escalate privileges in the affected device’s default configuration and achieve remote code execution.

CVE-2023-1399 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

An anonymous individual working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative reported this vulnerability 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 this vulnerability. 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 this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.