CVE-2012-2970 in SY-780
Summary
by MITRE
The Synel SY-780/A Time & Attendance terminal allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang) via network traffic to port (1) 1641, (2) 3734, or (3) 3735.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The Synel SY-780/A Time & Attendance terminal presents a significant denial of service vulnerability that affects multiple network ports including 1641, 3734, and 3735. This device operates within physical security infrastructure and is designed to track employee attendance and time management data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the terminal's network protocol stack. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted network packets to any of the specified ports, causing the device to become unresponsive and effectively hang. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a critical weakness in the device's network security architecture. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise organizational productivity and security operations. When the time and attendance terminal becomes unresponsive, employees cannot clock in or out, creating gaps in attendance tracking that may affect payroll processing and compliance reporting. Organizations relying on accurate timekeeping data for regulatory compliance or security monitoring face significant operational risks when such devices become unavailable. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the device, which is designed to operate continuously in enterprise environments where uptime is critical. From an attack perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method of disrupting business operations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The device's network accessibility means that attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access or insider knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on network segmentation and access control measures. Organizations should implement network firewalls to restrict access to the affected ports 1641, 3734, and 3735, ensuring that only authorized network segments can communicate with the time and attendance terminals. Network access control lists should be configured to limit connections to these ports to specific IP addresses or ranges. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Device firmware updates from the vendor should be applied immediately if available, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness in the device's implementation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious network traffic targeting these specific ports. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of securing industrial control systems and physical security devices, which often receive less attention in traditional cybersecurity defenses. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other devices within their network that may be susceptible to similar attacks, as this represents a pattern of inadequate network security implementation in industrial devices. Regular network audits should include verification of port accessibility and implementation of proper access controls to prevent unauthorized network communication with critical infrastructure devices.