CVE-2015-6471 in Power Systems ProView
Summary
by MITRE
Eaton Cooper Power Systems ProView 4.x and 5.x before 5.1 on Form 6 controls and Idea and IdeaPLUS relays does not properly initialize padding fields in Ethernet packets, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading packet data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6471 affects Eaton Cooper Power Systems ProView 4.x and 5.x firmware versions prior to 5.1, specifically impacting Form 6 controls and Idea and IdeaPLUS relays. This issue resides in the network protocol implementation where the system fails to properly initialize padding fields within Ethernet packets, creating a potential information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited remotely.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper initialization of padding bytes within network packets transmitted by these industrial control devices. When Ethernet frames are constructed, padding fields are typically used to ensure minimum frame size requirements are met and to align data structures properly. In the affected Eaton systems, these padding fields are not explicitly initialized to zero or consistent values, leaving them containing residual data from previous operations or memory contents. This uninitialized padding data can be transmitted as part of the network payload and potentially accessed by remote attackers who capture network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental security weakness in industrial control systems that can lead to sensitive data exposure. Attackers capable of intercepting network traffic between these devices and their management systems can potentially extract confidential information from the padding fields, which might contain system-specific data, memory contents, or other sensitive operational details. This vulnerability particularly concerns industrial environments where these devices operate, as it could expose information that might aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks against the broader control system infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1284, which addresses improper initialization of padding fields in network protocols, and represents a classic example of information leakage through uninitialized memory. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for information gathering and reconnaissance, as adversaries can use such information to better understand target systems and potentially identify additional attack vectors. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access to the devices, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for industrial networks where physical security controls may be less stringent than in traditional IT environments.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-6471 involves updating the affected Eaton Cooper Power Systems devices to firmware version 5.1 or later, which properly initializes padding fields in Ethernet packets. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing network access controls, using encrypted communication protocols where possible, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider the broader context of their industrial control system security posture, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and initialization practices in embedded systems.