CVE-2013-0692 in Dl 8000 Remote Terminal Unit
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in ENEA OSE on the Emerson Process Management ROC800 RTU with software 3.50 and earlier, DL8000 RTU with software 2.30 and earlier, and ROC800L RTU with software 1.20 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting to the debug service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0692 represents a critical security flaw within the kernel of ENEA OSE operating systems deployed on Emerson Process Management industrial control devices. This weakness affects multiple RTU models including ROC800, DL8000, and ROC800L systems with specific software versions that were widely used in industrial environments for process control and automation. The vulnerability stems from the presence of an unsecured debug service that remains accessible over network connections without proper authentication mechanisms. This exposed service creates a direct pathway for remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system kernel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's failure to properly validate incoming connections to the debug interface. When remote attackers establish connections to the debug service, they can leverage this access to execute arbitrary code within the system context with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation would provide attackers with complete control over the industrial control system, potentially enabling them to manipulate process variables, alter system configurations, or disrupt critical operations. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically in the context of kernel-level services.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0692 extends far beyond typical cybersecurity concerns, as it directly threatens the integrity and availability of industrial control systems that are fundamental to process automation. In industrial environments, these RTU devices serve as critical components in supervisory control and data acquisition systems, where unauthorized access could lead to catastrophic consequences including production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the devices, making it particularly dangerous in connected industrial environments where network segmentation may be inadequate.
Organizations utilizing affected Emerson RTU systems should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network access, disabling the debug service where possible, and applying available firmware updates from Emerson Process Management. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpreter usage, as attackers would likely leverage the debug service to execute malicious commands. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of secure configuration practices in industrial control systems and the need for regular security assessments of embedded operating systems. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for industrial organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management programs and to conduct regular security audits of their control system infrastructure to prevent exploitation of similar kernel-level weaknesses.