CVE-2014-2349 in DeltaV
Summary
by MITRE
Emerson DeltaV 10.3.1, 11.3, 11.3.1, and 12.3 uses hardcoded credentials for diagnostic services, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a TCP session, as demonstrated by a session that uses the telnet program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2349 affects Emerson DeltaV industrial control systems versions 10.3.1, 11.3, 11.3.1, and 12.3, representing a critical security flaw in industrial automation and control systems. This issue stems from the use of hardcoded credentials within diagnostic services, creating a persistent security weakness that undermines the intended access controls of the system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the diagnostic functionality that operates over TCP sessions, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where system integrity and security are paramount.
The technical flaw involves the implementation of static authentication credentials within the diagnostic services of the DeltaV system, which are embedded directly within the software code rather than being dynamically generated or properly secured. This hardcoded approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor that remains accessible regardless of system configuration changes or user authentication attempts. When attackers establish a TCP session using standard tools like telnet, they can leverage these predetermined credentials to bypass all intended access restrictions, effectively gaining unauthorized access to diagnostic capabilities that should remain protected within the industrial control environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with privileged diagnostic capabilities that can be exploited to manipulate system behavior, monitor network traffic, or escalate privileges within the industrial control network. The ability to use standard telnet programs demonstrates that this vulnerability does not require specialized tools or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where such systems may be exposed to external networks. This flaw creates a significant risk to industrial control system security, potentially enabling attackers to compromise critical infrastructure operations and disrupt industrial processes.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, disabling unnecessary diagnostic services where possible, and implementing proper access controls for TCP sessions. The use of network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict TCP port access can help prevent unauthorized connections to diagnostic services. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credential issues within other industrial control system components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, particularly relevant for industrial control system security.