CVE-2017-12090 in MicroLogix 1400
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable denial of service vulnerability exists in the processing of snmp-set commands of the Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 Series B FRN 21.2 and below. A specially crafted snmp-set request, when sent without associated firmware flashing snmp-set commands, can cause a device power cycle resulting in downtime for the device. An attacker can send one packet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12090 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 Series B industrial control devices running firmware versions 21.2 and below. This weakness specifically affects the SNMP set command processing functionality, which is fundamental to network management and device configuration in industrial environments. The vulnerability exposes a fundamental design flaw in how these devices handle SNMP communication protocols, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt critical industrial operations through seemingly innocuous network requests. The affected devices operate within critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and process control systems where uninterrupted operation is paramount for safety and productivity.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves crafting a specific SNMP set request that, when processed by the vulnerable firmware, triggers an unintended device reboot cycle. This occurs because the firmware fails to properly validate or handle certain SNMP set command sequences that are typically used for firmware flashing operations but are being executed without the proper associated commands. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the SNMP processing module, allowing malformed requests to cascade into system-level failures. This represents a classic buffer overflow or command injection vulnerability pattern where insufficient sanitization of network inputs leads to arbitrary code execution or system state manipulation. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the SNMP service implementation that manages device configuration parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it creates a potential for significant industrial downtime and operational risk. When triggered, the device power cycling can occur without any warning or user intervention, potentially disrupting critical manufacturing processes, control systems, or safety mechanisms. The single-packet nature of the exploit makes it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal effort from attackers to cause substantial disruption, while the widespread deployment of these devices in industrial environments increases the potential attack surface. Organizations relying on these devices for process control, automation, or monitoring systems face the risk of production halts, quality control issues, and potential safety hazards if the vulnerability is exploited during critical operations. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire industrial control networks where these devices serve as endpoints for remote monitoring and configuration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Allen Bradley to address the specific SNMP processing flaw, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to unauthorized SNMP traffic. Network administrators should consider disabling SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c protocols in favor of more secure SNMPv3 implementations that provide authentication and encryption. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-20, which covers improper input validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing attachments and links, though the latter is less directly applicable given the network-based nature of the exploit. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for industrial network security awareness and proper patch management protocols in critical infrastructure environments where legacy systems remain operational.