CVE-2016-5788 in Bently Nevada 3500-22
Summary
by MITRE
General Electric (GE) Bently Nevada 3500/22M USB with firmware before 5.0 and Bently Nevada 3500/22M Serial have open ports, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain privileged access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5788 affects General Electric Bently Nevada 3500/22M monitoring systems that utilize both USB and serial communication interfaces. These industrial control devices are commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments for vibration monitoring and predictive maintenance of rotating machinery such as turbines, pumps, and compressors. The affected systems operate in industrial environments where security is paramount due to the potential for significant operational disruption or safety hazards if compromised.
The core technical flaw involves the presence of open network ports within the device firmware versions prior to 5.0. This configuration creates unauthorized access pathways that allow remote attackers to establish connections to the system without proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-668, which addresses "Exposure of Resource to Wrong Host" or "Open Port," representing a fundamental security weakness where system services are accessible from unintended network locations. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple entry points may exist, potentially including unencrypted communication protocols, default credentials, or insecure administrative interfaces that remain accessible without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial within industrial control system environments where these devices operate. Remote attackers could potentially gain privileged access to perform unauthorized system modifications, data manipulation, or operational disruption. The exposure of open ports creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges through various attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 category for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity and availability of industrial monitoring systems, potentially leading to false readings, system malfunctions, or complete operational failures that could result in costly downtime or safety incidents.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 5.0 or later where available, network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network access, and implementation of network access controls to restrict port access to authorized personnel only. The solution aligns with NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security, which emphasize the importance of maintaining secure network configurations and limiting access to critical system components. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar exposure vulnerabilities in industrial environments.