CVE-2017-9626 in Pluto Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Systems using the Marel Food Processing Systems Pluto platform do not restrict remote access. Marel has created an update for Pluto-based applications. This update will restrict remote access by implementing SSH authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2023
The CVE-2017-9626 vulnerability affects Marel Food Processing Systems Pluto platform implementations that fail to properly restrict remote access to their industrial control systems. This represents a critical security gap in operational technology infrastructure where unauthorized remote access capabilities remain enabled without proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts food processing environments where the Pluto platform serves as the control system for various manufacturing processes, creating potential risks for industrial espionage, process disruption, and safety violations. Organizations utilizing this platform in manufacturing settings face significant exposure due to the lack of proper access controls that could allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access and potentially manipulate critical production processes.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper remote access restrictions within the Pluto platform implementation, which fundamentally violates established security principles for industrial control systems. Without SSH authentication mechanisms in place, the system allows any remote connection attempts to proceed without verifying the identity of connecting parties, creating an open door for unauthorized access. This configuration directly relates to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and CWE-310 which covers cryptographic issues including the absence of proper authentication protocols. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for remote attackers to interact with the system's control mechanisms without proper authorization, potentially leading to process manipulation or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential safety hazards and production disruptions in food processing environments. Industrial control systems managing food production processes cannot afford security gaps that allow unauthorized individuals to modify critical parameters such as temperature controls, conveyor speeds, or chemical dosing systems. The absence of proper authentication creates risks for food safety violations, equipment damage, and potential contamination scenarios that could result in recalls, regulatory penalties, and operational downtime. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including initial access through remote services and privilege escalation when unauthorized access is gained. The impact is particularly severe in regulated industries where food safety and quality control systems must maintain strict integrity and availability controls.
Organizations should immediately implement the Marel-provided update that introduces SSH authentication to restrict remote access to the Pluto platform systems. This mitigation addresses the core issue by enforcing proper authentication mechanisms that align with industry standards for industrial control system security. The implementation should include comprehensive access control policies that define authorized users and their specific permissions within the system. Network segmentation strategies should be deployed to isolate the Pluto platform from general corporate networks, reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that proper access controls remain in place and that no unauthorized access attempts have occurred. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring procedures to detect and respond to any suspicious remote access attempts, ensuring that the implemented SSH authentication mechanisms function properly and that system logs are maintained for audit purposes. The update addresses the immediate vulnerability while establishing a foundation for more robust security practices that comply with industrial cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory requirements.