CVE-2017-14473 in MicroLogix 1400
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable access control vulnerability exists in the data, program, and function file permissions functionality of Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 Series B FRN 21.2 and before. A specially crafted packet can cause a read or write operation resulting in disclosure of sensitive information, modification of settings, or modification of ladder logic. An attacker can send unauthenticated packets to trigger this vulnerability. Required Keyswitch State: Any Description: Reads the encoded ladder logic from its data file and print it out in HEX.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The CVE-2017-14473 vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 Series controllers running firmware versions up to and including FRN 21.2. This vulnerability resides within the data, program, and function file permissions functionality of these industrial control devices, which are widely deployed in manufacturing and industrial automation environments. The flaw allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive operational data and system configurations through unauthenticated network packets, fundamentally undermining the security posture of industrial control systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects devices that are often deployed in critical infrastructure sectors where operational technology security is paramount. The affected firmware versions indicate that this issue has persisted for several years, suggesting a lack of proper security testing and patch management in industrial environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the controller's network communication stack. When a specially crafted packet is sent to the device, it can trigger read or write operations that bypass normal authentication requirements. The vulnerability specifically allows for the extraction of encoded ladder logic from the controller's data file, which can be displayed in hexadecimal format. This capability enables attackers to gain detailed insights into the industrial control logic, potentially revealing proprietary process information, system configurations, and operational procedures. The required keyswitch state of "any" further reduces the attack surface requirements, as no physical access or specific hardware states are needed to exploit this vulnerability. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring any special authentication credentials or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and operational disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive information including ladder logic programs that define critical industrial processes, potentially exposing trade secrets or operational methodologies. The ability to modify settings and ladder logic introduces risks of system misconfiguration or malicious code injection that could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. This vulnerability particularly threatens industrial environments where the Micrologix 1400 Series controllers are used for process control, as the extracted ladder logic could reveal critical control sequences that an attacker might exploit to manipulate industrial processes. The long-term implications include potential cascading effects where compromised controllers could affect entire production lines or facility operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14473 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Allen Bradley to address the access control vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, utilizing firewalls and network access control lists to restrict communication to authorized systems only. The principle of least privilege should be applied to controller access, ensuring that only necessary personnel have network access to these devices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify similar unpatched vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts to these controllers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing industrial network security solutions that provide deep packet inspection and anomaly detection specifically tailored for industrial protocols to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in operational technology environments.