CVE-2018-17935 in F25 Series Radio Controls
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of Telecrane F25 Series Radio Controls before 00.0A use fixed codes that are reproducible by sniffing and re-transmission. This can lead to unauthorized replay of a command, spoofing of an arbitrary message, or keeping the controlled load in a permanent "stop" state.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17935 affects Telecrane F25 Series Radio Controls across all versions prior to 00.0A, presenting a critical security flaw in industrial control systems. This issue stems from the use of fixed radio communication codes that remain static across device deployments, creating a fundamental weakness in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of these industrial automation devices. The fixed nature of these codes violates core security principles that require dynamic, unpredictable authentication tokens to prevent unauthorized access to critical industrial processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the radio frequency communication protocol used by the Telecrane F25 Series controllers, where commands are transmitted using predetermined code sequences that do not change between transmissions or device sessions. An attacker with appropriate radio frequency equipment and basic signal analysis capabilities can intercept these transmissions, analyze the fixed code patterns, and subsequently replay the captured commands to the target device. This passive reconnaissance approach allows for the reproduction of legitimate control signals, effectively enabling unauthorized individuals to execute commands that should be restricted to authorized operators only. The vulnerability specifically enables three distinct attack vectors: command replay where legitimate control signals are resent to trigger unwanted actions, message spoofing where false commands are transmitted to deceive the system into accepting fabricated control inputs, and permanent stop state manipulation where the controlled load can be indefinitely held in a stopped condition through repeated malicious transmissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to represent a significant threat to industrial safety and operational integrity. In industrial crane control systems, unauthorized command execution could lead to equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, production disruptions, and potential physical damage to property or injury to personnel. The permanent stop state manipulation capability particularly represents a denial-of-service vulnerability that can halt critical industrial operations, potentially causing substantial financial losses and safety risks. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of industrial control systems and violates fundamental security requirements for critical infrastructure protection. The issue aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and CWE-312, which covers cleartext storage of sensitive data, as the fixed codes functionally represent predictable cryptographic elements that compromise system security.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering or physical access methods. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where physical access to radio equipment may be more readily achievable than in traditional IT environments. The lack of encryption or dynamic code generation in the communication protocol means that any individual with basic radio equipment and signal analysis knowledge can exploit this weakness without requiring sophisticated technical skills or specialized tools. Organizations implementing these controllers face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where industrial control systems are connected to broader network infrastructures or where physical security measures are inadequate. The vulnerability represents a critical failure in the security-by-design principles that should be fundamental to all industrial control systems, as it demonstrates a lack of proper authentication mechanisms and secure communication protocols in the device implementation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and industrial security personnel. The primary recommendation involves implementing firmware updates to version 00.0A or later, which should introduce dynamic code generation or encryption mechanisms to prevent the fixed code exploitation. Additionally, physical security measures should be enhanced around radio equipment, including the implementation of signal jamming detection systems, restricted access zones for radio equipment, and regular monitoring for unauthorized radio transmissions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack vectors, while the deployment of radio frequency monitoring systems can help detect anomalous transmission patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other similar vulnerabilities and implement proper security monitoring protocols. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated firmware in controlled environments to ensure that security improvements do not introduce operational disruptions to critical industrial processes.