CVE-2018-19282 in PowerFlex 525 AC Drives
Summary
by MITRE
Rockwell Automation PowerFlex 525 AC Drives 5.001 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service by crashing the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) network stack. The vulnerability allows the attacker to crash the CIP in a way that it does not accept new connections, but keeps the current connections active, which can prevent legitimate users from recovering control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19282 affects Rockwell Automation PowerFlex 525 AC Drives running firmware versions 5.001 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial control systems that can severely impact operational continuity. This vulnerability specifically targets the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) network stack implementation within these devices, creating a remote denial of service condition that can disrupt industrial automation processes. The affected devices operate in critical infrastructure environments where uninterrupted operation is essential for maintaining production workflows and safety protocols.
The technical flaw manifests when remote attackers exploit a weakness in the CIP stack's handling of network packets or connection management processes. The vulnerability causes the CIP network stack to crash in a specific manner that creates a state where the device ceases to accept new connections while maintaining existing active connections. This particular behavior creates a complex operational challenge because while current connections remain functional, the device becomes effectively inaccessible to new control commands or monitoring requests. The crash occurs at the protocol level within the industrial communication stack, bypassing typical application-level security measures and affecting the fundamental communication capabilities of the drive system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, creating significant risks for industrial environments where real-time control and monitoring are critical. When the CIP stack crashes and stops accepting new connections, legitimate operators lose the ability to establish new communication sessions with the drive, potentially preventing emergency shutdowns, routine maintenance, or operational adjustments. This situation can leave industrial processes in a precarious state where existing connections remain active but new control inputs cannot be processed, potentially leading to production delays, safety concerns, or the need for manual intervention that may not be immediately available. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad by compromising the system's ability to provide continuous service to authorized users.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves upgrading the firmware to versions that contain patches for the CIP stack vulnerability, which typically addresses the underlying protocol handling issues that cause the crash condition. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit remote access to these devices, reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized exploitation. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and CWE-119 for memory corruption vulnerabilities that affect protocol implementations. Additionally, monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in industrial environments and highlights the need for robust security practices in critical infrastructure protection.