CVE-2018-5402 in DCU 210E
Summary
by MITRE
The Auto-Maskin DCU 210E, RP-210E, and Marine Pro Observer Android App use an embedded webserver that uses unencrypted plaintext for the transmission of the administrator PIN Impact: An attacker once authenticated can change configurations, upload new configuration files, and upload executable code via file upload for firmware updates. Requires access to the network. Affected releases are Auto-Maskin DCU-210E, RP-210E, and the Marine Pro Observer Android App. Versions prior to 3.7 on ARMv7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The CVE-2018-5402 vulnerability affects Auto-Maskin DCU 210E, RP-210E, and Marine Pro Observer Android applications that utilize embedded web servers for administrative functions. This represents a critical security flaw in industrial control systems where the device employs unencrypted plaintext transmission for sensitive administrative credentials. The vulnerability stems from the absence of encryption protocols during data transmission, specifically for administrator PINs used to authenticate access to system configuration interfaces. This flaw falls under CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of plaintext data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol communication. The embedded web server component creates an attack surface that allows remote adversaries to intercept and manipulate administrative communications without requiring physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability permits attackers with network access to establish unauthorized administrative sessions by capturing the plaintext administrator PIN during transmission. Once authenticated, malicious actors gain comprehensive control over the device's operational parameters, including the ability to modify system configurations, upload new configuration files, and execute file uploads for firmware updates. This privilege escalation capability represents a severe compromise of the device's integrity and operational security, as the attacker can effectively take complete control of the system's functionality. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential theft since it provides persistent access that enables long-term system manipulation and potential disruption of critical maritime operations.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning for maritime applications where the DCU 210E and RP-210E devices are employed for critical navigation and control functions. The ability to upload executable code through firmware update mechanisms transforms this vulnerability into a potential vector for persistent malware deployment, allowing attackers to establish backdoors or disrupt system operations. The requirement for network access means that the attack surface includes any network segment that can reach these devices, potentially encompassing vessel networks, shore-based control systems, or connected IoT infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of maritime navigation systems, potentially leading to operational failures or safety hazards during critical navigation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5402 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 3.7 or later on ARMv7 architectures, as these releases address the plaintext transmission issue through implementation of secure communication protocols. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict unauthorized access to devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous administrative access patterns. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-312 emphasizes the need for proper encryption implementation using protocols such as TLS or SSL to protect sensitive data transmission. Organizations should also implement network intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential credential interception attempts and establish secure remote access procedures that do not rely on unencrypted plaintext authentication mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of industrial control systems are essential to identify and remediate similar exposure vulnerabilities that could compromise operational technology environments.