CVE-2014-5429 in Power
Summary
by MITRE
DNP Master Driver 3.02 and earlier in Elipse SCADA 2.29 build 141 and earlier, E3 1.0 through 4.6, and Elipse Power 1.0 through 4.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via malformed packets.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5429 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting multiple SCADA systems from Elipse Software. This vulnerability specifically impacts the DNP Master Driver component version 3.02 and earlier, which is integrated into Elipse SCADA 2.29 build 141 and earlier versions, as well as E3 versions 1.0 through 4.6 and Elipse Power versions 1.0 through 4.6. The flaw manifests when these systems receive malformed network packets that trigger excessive CPU consumption, ultimately leading to system unresponsiveness and operational disruption. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-400, which encompasses improper handling of resources that can lead to denial of service conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The affected systems operate within industrial control environments where continuous operation is critical, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can compromise the availability of critical infrastructure monitoring and control systems.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the DNP Master Driver's insufficient input validation when processing incoming network communications. When malformed packets are transmitted to the affected systems, the driver fails to properly sanitize or reject these invalid inputs, causing the system to enter an infinite loop or excessive processing state. This results in sustained high CPU utilization that can reach 100% usage, effectively rendering the system incapable of performing its intended monitoring and control functions. The malformed packets exploit the driver's parsing logic, which does not adequately implement bounds checking or input validation mechanisms to detect and reject malformed data structures. This type of vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the defensive programming practices of industrial control software, where the assumption of trusted network inputs leads to catastrophic system behavior when confronted with malicious or malformed data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5429 extends beyond simple system unavailability to potentially compromise entire industrial processes that rely on these SCADA systems for real-time monitoring and control. In power generation, distribution, and other critical infrastructure sectors, the denial of service condition can lead to cascading failures where the inability to monitor or control equipment directly affects power generation, transmission, or distribution capabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate the attack from external network locations without requiring physical access to the industrial facilities, making it particularly concerning for operational technology environments. This flaw directly impacts the availability and integrity of industrial control systems, potentially leading to safety hazards in critical infrastructure environments where continuous operation is essential for public safety and economic stability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5429 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, utilizing firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to filter malformed traffic before it reaches the vulnerable drivers. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the affected software components, as Elipse has released updates addressing this vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual CPU utilization patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and system administrators should implement regular security assessments of industrial control systems. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and boundary checking mechanisms within the network communication layers can provide defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new operational issues in the critical control environments.