CVE-2016-5782 in LGate
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Locus Energy LGate prior to 1.05H, LGate 50, LGate 100, LGate 101, LGate 120, and LGate 320. Locus Energy meters use a PHP script to manage the energy meter parameters for voltage monitoring and network configuration. The PHP code does not properly validate information that is sent in the POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5782 affects Locus Energy LGate energy meter devices across multiple model variants including LGate 1.05H, LGate 50, LGate 100, LGate 101, LGate 120, and LGate 320. These industrial meters utilize PHP scripts for managing critical energy monitoring parameters including voltage levels and network configuration settings. The core issue stems from insufficient input validation within the PHP implementation that processes HTTP POST requests containing configuration data. This weakness creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the meter's operational parameters through crafted requests. The vulnerability represents a classic injection flaw that allows unauthorized modification of device configuration, potentially compromising the integrity of energy monitoring systems. The affected devices operate in industrial environments where accurate voltage monitoring and network configuration are critical for operational safety and system reliability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper validation of user-supplied data within the PHP script handling POST requests. When administrators or authorized personnel submit configuration changes through the web interface, the PHP code fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming parameters before processing them. This validation gap enables attackers to inject malicious data that could alter voltage monitoring thresholds, network settings, or other critical parameters. The lack of input sanitization creates opportunities for command injection, configuration manipulation, or potentially more severe impacts depending on the specific implementation details. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental weakness that allows malformed data to be processed without adequate safeguards. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command injection and T1566 for malicious file execution through web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes to potentially compromise industrial control systems and energy infrastructure monitoring. Attackers could manipulate voltage thresholds to trigger false alarms or disable critical safety mechanisms, leading to operational disruptions or safety hazards. The affected LGate devices serve as monitoring points within energy distribution networks where unauthorized modifications could affect power quality measurements, grid stability monitoring, or automated control systems. Depending on the specific implementation, successful exploitation might allow attackers to gain deeper access to the device's configuration, potentially enabling persistent access or lateral movement within the industrial network. The vulnerability affects devices that are typically deployed in critical infrastructure environments where reliability and security are paramount. Organizations relying on these meters for voltage monitoring and network configuration management face significant risk of operational disruption or compromised monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5782 require immediate implementation of firmware updates from Locus Energy addressing the input validation issues in the affected PHP scripts. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only, utilizing firewalls and access control lists to restrict web interface access. Additional protective measures include enabling secure communication protocols such as HTTPS with strong encryption, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and conducting regular security audits of the device configurations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual configuration changes or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems, particularly regarding input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious web interface activity and parameter manipulation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security testing of industrial control systems are essential to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the operational environment.