CVE-2023-49900 Overview
CVE-2023-49900 is an OS command injection vulnerability [CWE-78] that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. The flaw stems from incorrectly sanitized user input in the SetParameter command. An attacker can inject shell metacharacters into parameter values processed by the affected device, achieving code execution in the context of the vulnerable service. The vulnerability was disclosed through Claroty's Team82 research group.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can achieve remote code execution over the network with no user interaction, enabling full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Affected product details were not published in the NVD entry at time of writing
- Refer to the Claroty Team82 disclosure dashboard for vendor and version specifics
- Operators of industrial and embedded devices exposing a SetParameter interface should treat this advisory as applicable pending vendor confirmation
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-16 - CVE-2023-49900 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-07-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-49900
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic OS command injection classified under [CWE-78]. The affected component exposes a SetParameter command that accepts user-controlled input over the network. Input passed to this command is concatenated into a shell invocation without proper sanitization or escaping.
An attacker sends a crafted SetParameter request containing shell metacharacters such as backticks, semicolons, or $() substitutions. The underlying shell interprets these characters and executes the injected commands. Because the endpoint does not require authentication, exploitation is trivial once the service is reachable over the network.
Successful exploitation grants code execution with the privileges of the process handling the command. On embedded and industrial devices, this often means root-level access, which enables persistence, lateral movement, and disruption of operational processes.
Root Cause
The root cause is the failure to sanitize or validate parameter values before they are incorporated into a system-level command. Safe alternatives such as parameterized execution APIs, strict allow-list validation, or shell escaping were not applied to the SetParameter handler.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker with reachability to the exposed management interface transmits a malicious SetParameter request. Devices reachable from the internet, or from a flat operational technology network, are directly exploitable.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Claroty CVE-2023-49900 disclosure for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-49900
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the service handling SetParameter requests, particularly shell interpreters or network utilities
- Outbound network connections from the affected device to unfamiliar external hosts following administrative requests
- Log entries showing SetParameter commands containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, backticks, or $()
Detection Strategies
- Inspect network traffic for SetParameter payloads containing shell control characters or command syntax
- Correlate management-plane requests with process creation events on the device to identify command execution anomalies
- Baseline normal SetParameter values and alert on deviations, including unusually long parameter strings or non-printable characters
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward device logs and management-interface access records to a centralized data lake for retention and cross-source correlation
- Monitor for authentication-less access to management endpoints from untrusted network segments
- Alert on new listening services or persistence mechanisms appearing on affected devices
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-49900
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the affected device's management interface using firewall rules or network segmentation
- Block exposure of the vulnerable service to the internet and untrusted OT/IT boundaries
- Review device logs for prior SetParameter requests containing suspicious characters and investigate any matches
Patch Information
No vendor patch reference is included in the NVD record at time of publication. Consult the Claroty Team82 disclosure dashboard and the responsible vendor's security advisories for firmware updates addressing CVE-2023-49900.
Workarounds
- Place affected devices behind a jump host or VPN that enforces authentication and access logging
- Apply strict ACLs limiting SetParameter command access to a small set of trusted management workstations
- Disable or firewall the management protocol on interfaces that do not require it
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
