CVE-2017-14003 in Ether-Serial Link
Summary
by MITRE
An Authentication Bypass by Spoofing issue was discovered in LAVA Ether-Serial Link (ESL) running firmware versions 6.01.00/29.03.2007 and prior versions. An improper authentication vulnerability has been identified, which, if exploited, would allow an attacker with the same IP address to bypass authentication by accessing a specific uniform resource locator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14003 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in LAVA Ether-Serial Link (ESL) devices running firmware versions 6.01.00/29.03.2007 and earlier. This issue falls under the broader category of authentication weaknesses that can severely compromise system security. The vulnerability stems from improper authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate user credentials or session integrity, creating a pathway for unauthorized access. The specific flaw allows an attacker who possesses the same IP address as a legitimate user to spoof the authentication process and gain unauthorized access to the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exploits the fundamental trust model of network communications, where IP address uniqueness is often assumed to provide security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authentication validation where the system fails to properly authenticate users before granting access to protected resources. The vulnerability operates through a spoofing mechanism that leverages the attacker's ability to match the IP address of an authorized user, effectively allowing them to impersonate legitimate sessions. This type of authentication bypass is categorized under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The exploitation requires minimal network access and can be performed by an attacker who has network access to the same subnet as the target device, making it particularly concerning for industrial control systems and embedded devices where such network segmentation may not be properly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and potential disruption of critical operations. LAVA ESL devices are commonly used in industrial environments for serial communication management, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain control over industrial processes or data. The authentication bypass allows attackers to potentially modify configurations, access sensitive data, or even disrupt operations through malicious command injection. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as the attacker essentially gains access through legitimate credentials by exploiting a flaw in the authentication mechanism. The risk is compounded by the fact that such devices often operate in environments where network monitoring is limited, making detection of such attacks more difficult.
Organizations utilizing LAVA ESL devices should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address this authentication bypass vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized access to critical systems. The implementation of additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication or certificate-based authentication can provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in embedded systems, as outlined in security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and monitoring for unusual IP address patterns that might indicate spoofing attempts. Given the industrial nature of these devices, regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be part of the operational security framework to identify and remediate similar authentication weaknesses before they can be exploited by adversaries.