CVE-2018-14798 in FRENIC LOADER
Summary
by MITRE
Fuji Electric FRENIC LOADER v3.3 v7.3.4.1a of FRENIC-Mini (C1), FRENIC-Mini (C2), FRENIC-Eco, FRENIC-Multi, FRENIC-MEGA, FRENIC-Ace. The program does not properly parse FNC files that may allow for information disclosure.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14798 affects Fuji Electric FRENIC series inverters including FRENIC-Mini (C1), FRENIC-Mini (C2), FRENIC-Eco, FRENIC-Multi, FRENIC-MEGA, and FRENIC-Ace devices. These industrial automation products are widely deployed in manufacturing environments for motor control and process automation. The affected FRENIC LOADER software version 3.3 v7.3.4.1a processes FNC files without proper validation mechanisms, creating a potential information disclosure threat that could compromise industrial control systems. This vulnerability resides within the firmware loading process where the system fails to adequately sanitize file inputs before processing them, allowing for unauthorized data access through malformed or specially crafted FNC files.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient input validation and parsing routines within the FRENIC LOADER application. When processing FNC files, the software does not implement proper boundary checks or format validation that would prevent maliciously constructed files from triggering unintended behavior. This parsing deficiency creates a path where an attacker could potentially construct an FNC file that, when loaded, would cause the system to expose sensitive operational data or internal system information. The vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate input sanitization where the system trusts the input data without proper verification, leading to potential information disclosure. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be classified as a software defect in the input processing layer of the industrial control system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity and availability of industrial control systems. In manufacturing environments, the exposure of internal system information could provide attackers with insights into the operational parameters, system configurations, or control protocols used by the FRENIC inverters. This information disclosure could enable more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader industrial control network or facilitate lateral movement within the facility's automation infrastructure. The vulnerability affects devices that are critical to industrial operations, meaning that unauthorized access to system information could potentially lead to operational disruptions or safety compromises in manufacturing processes. The impact is particularly concerning given the industrial control environment where these devices operate, as such systems often require high availability and security due to their role in critical infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available vendor patches or firmware updates that address the input validation issues in the FRENIC LOADER software. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit who can interact with the affected devices and their loading interfaces. Regular monitoring of system logs for unauthorized file loading activities or suspicious access patterns should be implemented as part of the security operations routine. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in industrial control systems, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1566 which addresses credential access through social engineering. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous file transfer patterns or attempts to load malformed configuration files. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to restrict file loading capabilities to only authorized personnel with legitimate operational needs, reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.