CVE-2023-5097
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to perform path traversal attacks on HYPR Workforce Access for Windows by exploiting improper input validation. It enables unauthorized access to files and directories outside the intended scope. Organizations using HYPR Workforce Access versions before 8.7 on Windows are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- HYPR Workforce Access
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through arbitrary file read/write, potential credential theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, user data, or system files leading to information disclosure.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, file system permissions, and monitoring in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Path traversal vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity but require some level of access to the application.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8.7
Vendor Advisory: https://www.hypr.com/security-advisories
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download HYPR Workforce Access version 8.7 or later from HYPR portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Install the update following HYPR documentation. 4. Restart the Workforce Access service. 5. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Enhancement
windowsImplement additional input validation to reject path traversal sequences
Not applicable - requires code changes
File System Restrictions
windowsApply strict file system permissions to limit Workforce Access service account access
icacls "C:\Program Files\HYPR\" /deny WORKFORCE_ACCESS_SERVICE_ACCOUNT:(OI)(CI)(DE,DC)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate Workforce Access servers from sensitive systems.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) with path traversal protection rules.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check HYPR Workforce Access version in Control Panel > Programs or via PowerShell: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*HYPR Workforce Access*'} | Select-Object Name, VersionCheck Version:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*HYPR Workforce Access*'} | Select-Object VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 8.7 or higher using same version check command and test path traversal attempts return proper errors.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in Workforce Access logs
- Multiple failed path traversal attempts
- Access to directories outside normal application scope
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Workforce Access server
- Traffic patterns indicating file enumeration
SIEM Query:
source="hypr_workforce_access" AND (path="..\\" OR path="../" OR path="%2e%2e%2f")