CVE-2018-12927 in Electric
Summary
by MITRE
Northern Electric & Power (NEP) inverter devices allow remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a direct request for the nep/status/index/1 URI.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12927 affects Northern Electric & Power NEP inverter devices, representing a significant security weakness that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers. This issue stems from insufficient access controls within the device's web interface implementation, specifically targeting the nep/status/index/1 URI endpoint. The flaw allows unauthorized individuals to directly access internal system status information without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of improper access control where sensitive data is accessible through predictable URI paths. The NEP inverter devices typically serve as critical components in power management systems, often deployed in industrial environments where they control energy conversion processes and monitor system health. When attackers can access the nep/status/index/1 endpoint, they gain visibility into potentially sensitive operational data including device status, configuration parameters, and system metrics that could reveal critical infrastructure information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations utilizing NEP inverter devices in their power management infrastructure. The exposed information could enable attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, identify system configurations, and potentially discover other vulnerabilities within the broader network ecosystem. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the gathered data could facilitate more sophisticated attacks targeting the industrial control systems that rely on these devices for proper operation. Attackers might leverage this information to plan targeted attacks against the power infrastructure, potentially causing operational disruptions or creating opportunities for lateral movement within the network.
The security implications of CVE-2018-12927 can be mapped to several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as attackers would use this vulnerability to discover system information and potentially map network topology. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network access, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for web interfaces, and applying firmware updates provided by Northern Electric & Power to address the vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include verification of access controls for all network endpoints to prevent similar information disclosure vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in operational environments.