External risk intelligence

Lockcell allows attackers to bypass security controls for full access

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2023-3048

A critical flaw in TMT Lockcell firmware lets anyone bypass security, potentially gaining full control. Update immediately to protect your physical access systems.

2Halo Surface Signal

Authentication Bypass

Tmtmakine Lockcell Firmware

before 15.0

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2023-3048

TMT Lockcell is a physical security management appliance. Such systems are designed to operate within secured internal network segments for facility management. While they possess administrative web interfaces, public internet exposure is not a standard or intended deployment pattern and is generally restricted by enterprise security controls.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in TMT Lockcell allows unauthorized access by bypassing authentication controls. This could enable someone to gain access to sensitive functions or data within the system.

  • Can lead to authentication abuse.
  • Affects Lockcell before version 15.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this flaw to bypass authentication on the TMT Lockcell device, potentially gaining unauthorized administrative access. This could be achieved by manipulating a user-controlled key during the authorization process.

  • No authentication needed.
  • Target administrative functions.
  • Bypass user authentication.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

Attackers will likely find this vulnerability appealing due to its critical severity and potential for widespread impact, allowing unauthorized access and control. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require special privileges, further reducing the barrier to entry for malicious actors.

  • No known exploit code.
  • Limited recent activity signals.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Prioritize immediate review of all TMT Lockcell devices for any signs of unusual network traffic or unauthorized access attempts, especially if exposed externally. Given the critical severity and authentication bypass potential, investigate any instances of unauthorized access or configuration changes to determine the scope of impact and inform containment strategies.

  • Isolate potentially compromised devices immediately.
  • Monitor network traffic for unauthorized authentication.
  • Plan for urgent patching or firmware updates.

Frequently asked questions

What is TMT Lockcell and its function?

TMT Lockcell is a physical security management appliance designed for controlling and managing access within facilities. It functions as a hardware device, typically administered through a web interface.

How does CVE-2023-3048 permit unauthorized access?

CVE-2023-3048 is an Authorization Bypass vulnerability. It allows attackers to circumvent proper authentication by exploiting how the Lockcell system handles user-controlled keys, potentially granting them access or privileges they should not possess.

What is the weakness class for CVE-2023-3048?

The weakness class identified for CVE-2023-3048 is CWE-639, which describes Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key.

What is the relevance of CVE-2023-3048 to system security?

This vulnerability is highly relevant due to its critical severity (CVSS 9.8) and its ability to bypass authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized administrative access and control over TMT Lockcell devices. Halo Surface Signal assesses this as 'Unlikely' to be exposed externally due to the nature of physical security appliances.

What steps should be taken to address CVE-2023-3048?

Immediate actions include reviewing TMT Lockcell devices for unauthorized access or network traffic anomalies. If external exposure is suspected, isolate devices and investigate any unauthorized access or configuration changes. Planning for urgent patching or firmware updates to versions 15.0 or later is crucial.

References