CVE-2022-23767 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting version 3.5 of SecureGate, a product developed by HANSSAK Co., Ltd. The vulnerability encompasses multiple critical security flaws, including an authentication bypass (CWE-288), SQL injection (CWE-89), and path traversal (CWE-22). Specifically, the authentication bypass is achieved through an alternate path or channel that allows login without a password, effectively circumventing normal authentication mechanisms. The SQL injection vulnerability enables an attacker to manipulate backend database queries, potentially allowing unauthorized data access or modification. Additionally, the path traversal vulnerability during file transfer operations permits an attacker to access or overwrite files outside the intended directory scope. Collectively, these vulnerabilities enable an attacker to escalate privileges and execute remote code, leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with no privileges or user interaction required and an attack vector over the network. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the combination of these flaws presents a significant risk to affected systems if left unpatched.

For European organizations using SecureGate version 3.5, this vulnerability poses a severe threat. The ability to bypass authentication without credentials can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure or security gateways. SQL injection can lead to data breaches, exposing confidential information or allowing attackers to manipulate critical data. Path traversal vulnerabilities can compromise system integrity by enabling unauthorized file access or modification, potentially disrupting operations or facilitating malware deployment. The overall impact includes potential full system takeover, data loss, service disruption, and reputational damage. Given the critical role SecureGate may play in network security or access control, exploitation could undermine organizational cybersecurity defenses, leading to cascading effects on business continuity and compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR.

Organizations should immediately verify if they are running SecureGate version 3.5 and prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available from HANSSAK Co., Ltd. In the absence of an official patch, network-level mitigations should be implemented, such as restricting access to SecureGate management interfaces to trusted IP addresses and deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block SQL injection and path traversal attempts. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on any user-supplied data if custom integrations exist. Regularly audit logs for suspicious authentication attempts or unusual file access patterns. Employ network segmentation to limit the exposure of SecureGate devices. Additionally, implement strict monitoring and incident response procedures to quickly detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Engage with the vendor for updates and consider temporary compensating controls such as multi-factor authentication on related systems to reduce risk.