CVE-2018-14802 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 check user-supplied comments which may allow for arbitrary remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14802 affects Fuji Electric FRENIC series inverters including FRENIC-Mini C1 and C2 models, FRENIC-Eco, FRENIC-Multi, and FRENIC-MEGA devices. This security flaw resides within the FRENIC LOADER software version 3.3 and v7.3.4.1a, which serves as the programming interface for these industrial automation devices. The affected systems operate within industrial control environments where proper security controls are essential for maintaining operational integrity and preventing unauthorized access to critical infrastructure. These inverters are commonly deployed in manufacturing facilities, process control systems, and other industrial applications where reliable power conversion and motor control are paramount for operational continuity.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of user-supplied comments within the FRENIC LOADER application. This weakness constitutes a classic input validation vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious content through comment fields during software operations. The vulnerability does not perform adequate sanitization or verification of user inputs, creating a path for arbitrary code execution when the system processes these unvalidated comments. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a critical security weakness in industrial control software where input sanitization is essential for preventing exploitation. The vulnerability specifically enables remote code execution capabilities, meaning an attacker could potentially compromise the system from outside the local network without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it could enable complete system compromise of the affected industrial devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized control over the inverter's operational parameters, potentially leading to dangerous conditions such as motor over-speed, incorrect power delivery, or complete system shutdown. In industrial environments, such compromises could result in production downtime, equipment damage, safety hazards, or even environmental impacts depending on the specific application. The remote execution capability means that attackers could target these systems from anywhere on the internet, making them particularly dangerous in connected industrial networks where security perimeters may be less defined than in traditional enterprise environments. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability aspects of the CIA triad, potentially affecting the industrial control systems' ability to maintain proper operational parameters and safety controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14802 should focus on immediate software updates from Fuji Electric, which would likely include proper input validation mechanisms and sanitization routines for comment fields. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these industrial control systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface available to remote attackers. Access controls should be strengthened through multi-factor authentication and role-based access restrictions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with the programming interfaces. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to identify unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues across the entire industrial network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying security patches promptly in industrial environments where operational continuity must be balanced against security requirements. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls using the ATT&CK framework's network ingress prevention techniques to limit unauthorized access to industrial control systems and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.