CVE-2017-6019 in Conext ComBox 865-1058
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Conext ComBox, model 865-1058, all firmware versions prior to V3.03 BN 830. A series of rapid requests to the device may cause it to reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6019 affects Schneider Electric Conext ComBox model 865-1058 devices operating with firmware versions prior to V3.03 BN 830. This represents a denial of service condition that stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the device's communication protocols. The flaw manifests when the device receives a high volume of rapid requests, leading to system instability and subsequent reboot cycles that disrupt operational continuity.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-400, which describes unspecified resource management errors in software systems. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the protocol handling layer where the device fails to properly throttle or queue incoming requests, resulting in resource exhaustion or buffer overflow conditions. The device's inability to handle concurrent request patterns demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and insufficient rate limiting mechanisms that are fundamental to robust network device design.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to industrial control systems and energy management infrastructure where the ComBox serves as a critical communication gateway. The remote exploitation potential allows attackers to disrupt operations without requiring physical access or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where continuous operation is essential. The reboot cycles can lead to data loss, communication failures, and potential cascading effects throughout connected systems that depend on the device's availability.
The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to include potential safety implications in industrial environments where automated systems rely on consistent communication with the ComBox device. Network administrators must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, particularly in environments following NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing network segmentation strategies to limit potential attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version V3.03 BN 830 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the resource management issues. Network administrators should implement rate limiting at the network perimeter to prevent rapid request flooding, and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual reboot patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that include intrusion detection systems and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized exploitation of such weaknesses in industrial control systems.