CVE-2018-0670 in INplc
Summary
by MITRE
INplc-RT 3.08 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authentication to execute an arbitrary command through the protocol-compliant traffic. This is a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-0669.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0670 affects INplc-RT version 3.08 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through protocol-compliant traffic. This vulnerability specifically targets the industrial control systems environment where INplc-RT is deployed, creating a significant security risk for operational technology infrastructure. The flaw allows adversaries to circumvent the authentication mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system functions, effectively granting them administrative privileges without proper credentials. Unlike CVE-2018-0669 which addresses a different aspect of the same product line, CVE-2018-0670 focuses specifically on the protocol handling and authentication validation process within the INplc-RT software implementation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of protocol-compliant traffic that arrives at the system. The INplc-RT software fails to adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of incoming communication requests, allowing malicious actors to craft traffic that appears legitimate according to the protocol specifications while simultaneously bypassing the required authentication checks. This represents a fundamental flaw in the security architecture where the system assumes that protocol-compliant traffic is inherently trustworthy, without proper verification of the sender's identity or authorization status. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes network requests that follow the expected protocol format but contain malicious payloads designed to exploit the authentication bypass mechanism. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-287 category of improper authentication, specifically addressing weak or missing authentication controls that allow unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0670 is severe and potentially catastrophic for industrial environments that rely on INplc-RT for control system operations. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data manipulation, or disruption of critical industrial processes. The ability to bypass authentication remotely means that attackers do not require physical access or prior knowledge of system credentials to gain control. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of industrial control systems, as unauthorized users can modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or even cause physical damage to equipment through malicious command execution. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as the compromised system may serve as a foothold for further attacks within the industrial network infrastructure, potentially leading to broader security breaches across connected systems.
Organizations utilizing INplc-RT version 3.08 or earlier should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches or updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to a patched version of the INplc-RT software that properly validates authentication mechanisms and implements robust traffic verification processes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous protocol traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify malicious protocol traffic patterns associated with this vulnerability. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1078 credential access technique and potentially T1059 command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the bypass to establish persistent access and execute commands on the compromised system. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all industrial control system components remain protected against similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities.