CVE-2017-5167 in Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in BINOM3 Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter. Users do not have any option to change their own passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2017-5167 affects the BINOM3 Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter, a device commonly used in industrial and commercial settings for monitoring electrical power systems. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the device's authentication and access control mechanisms, as it fundamentally undermines the ability of users to maintain secure access to the system. The device operates within environments where power quality monitoring is essential for operational continuity and safety, making secure access controls paramount to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical electrical parameters.
This vulnerability stems from a design flaw where the device lacks a user-facing password change functionality, effectively creating a permanent access vector for anyone who can initially gain access to the system. The absence of password modification capabilities means that users cannot update their credentials if they suspect compromise or as part of regular security maintenance procedures. This issue falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and represents a failure in implementing proper access control management as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk where initial access can be maintained indefinitely without the ability to revoke or modify credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access to the device cannot be fully controlled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication issues, as it creates a significant security risk for industrial control systems where power quality meters play a critical role. An attacker who gains initial access to the device could potentially modify power quality monitoring parameters, which could lead to incorrect readings and potentially dangerous situations in power distribution systems. This vulnerability also enables persistent access to the device's configuration and monitoring capabilities, allowing for long-term surveillance and potential manipulation of power system data. The lack of password change functionality means that even if a user discovers unauthorized access, they cannot remediate the situation by changing their credentials, creating a situation where compromised access can persist indefinitely. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables unauthorized access and persistent presence within critical infrastructure environments.
Organizations implementing security controls should treat this vulnerability as a critical risk requiring immediate attention, particularly in environments where the device is deployed in industrial control systems or critical infrastructure. The recommended mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the device, deploying additional authentication layers such as network access control, and establishing physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the device itself. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control devices, as this type of authentication weakness is commonly found in legacy industrial systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security standards such as IEC 62443 and NERC CIP requirements for industrial cybersecurity, which mandate proper access control and authentication mechanisms for critical infrastructure devices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing centralized identity management solutions that can enforce password policies and account management across all connected devices, even when individual devices lack native password change capabilities.