CVE-2018-19023 in Nova-M
Summary
by MITRE
Hetronic Nova-M radio control systems prior to version r161 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 • 05/06/2020
The CVE-2018-19023 vulnerability affects Hetronic Nova-M radio control systems operating prior to version r161, representing a critical security flaw in industrial control systems that exposes devices to unauthorized access and manipulation. This vulnerability stems from the use of fixed cryptographic codes within the radio communication protocol, which fundamentally undermines the security model of the system by providing attackers with predictable and reusable authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of static or fixed codes for radio communication between control units and remote devices, creating a scenario where an attacker can perform passive eavesdropping operations to capture legitimate radio transmissions. Through simple sniffing techniques, an attacker can observe and record the fixed code sequences used for command authorization, enabling them to replay these codes at will to execute unauthorized commands against the controlled system. This approach directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-310 and CWE-312, which address cryptographic weaknesses and the exposure of sensitive data through predictable patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and operational disruption. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to perform command replay attacks that allow them to spoof arbitrary messages, effectively impersonating legitimate control signals. The most concerning aspect involves the ability to maintain controlled loads in a permanent "stop" state, which could result in operational failures, safety hazards, or economic losses depending on the specific application of the radio control system. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 which describes the use of application or system binaries for execution, and T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through spoofed communications.
The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the security architecture of the Hetronic Nova-M systems, as it demonstrates poor implementation of authentication mechanisms and lacks proper cryptographic protection for communication channels. The fixed nature of the codes eliminates any form of session-based or time-based authentication, making the system susceptible to replay attacks that can be executed with minimal technical expertise. Organizations utilizing these systems face significant risks including unauthorized system manipulation, potential safety hazards in industrial environments, and operational disruptions that could result in substantial financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware upgrades to version r161 or later, which would presumably implement dynamic code generation or enhanced cryptographic protocols. Additionally, network segmentation and physical security measures should be implemented to reduce the attack surface, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual communication patterns that might indicate replay attacks. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of all industrial control systems to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the operational technology infrastructure, aligning with security frameworks that address industrial control system security through layered defensive approaches.