CVE-2017-20023 in Solar-Log
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability was found in Solare Solar-Log 2.8.4-56/3.5.2-85 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Network Config. The manipulation leads to privilege escalation. The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 3.5.3-86 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20023 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Solare Solar-Log monitoring system version 2.8.4-56/3.5.2-85. This issue resides within the Network Config component of the software, which handles network configuration parameters for solar energy monitoring systems. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates its potential for significant impact on system security and operational integrity. The affected system is designed to monitor and manage solar energy generation data, making it a potentially attractive target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to industrial control systems. The flaw allows for remote exploitation, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the device to initiate the attack vector. This remote accessibility significantly increases the attack surface and potential for widespread compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation or access control mechanisms within the Network Config processing functionality. When the system processes network configuration data, it fails to properly validate or sanitize user inputs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system parameters. This weakness enables an attacker to elevate their privileges from a standard user level to administrative or root level access. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves sending specially crafted network requests that trigger the flawed processing logic within the Network Config component. The system's failure to properly authenticate or authorize these operations allows unauthorized privilege elevation, which can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-20023 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system takeover and data compromise within industrial environments. Solar monitoring systems like Solar-Log are critical components of energy infrastructure, and their compromise can lead to unauthorized access to real-time energy production data, system configuration changes, and potentially disruption of energy generation operations. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, making them particularly dangerous for distributed energy installations. Organizations relying on such systems face risks including data exfiltration, system manipulation, and potential safety hazards if operational parameters are altered. The vulnerability also poses risks to broader network security as compromised monitoring systems can serve as stepping stones for lateral movement within industrial networks, aligning with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and lateral movement categories.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of industrial control systems security and the broader landscape of critical infrastructure protection. The issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, principles that align with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) categories. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory firmware upgrades to version 3.5.3-86, which contains the necessary patches to address the privilege escalation flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring of network traffic to and from affected systems should be implemented as additional defensive measures. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of industrial control systems, as these environments often contain legacy systems with known vulnerabilities that may not be adequately protected. Proper security posture requires continuous monitoring for similar vulnerabilities and adherence to security best practices for industrial environments, including secure configuration management and regular vulnerability assessments.