CVE-2019-10972 in FR Configurator2
Summary
by MITRE
Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2, Version 1.16S and prior. This vulnerability can be triggered when an attacker provides the target with a rogue project file (.frc2). Once a user opens the rogue project, CPU exhaustion occurs, which causes the software to quit responding until the application is restarted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10972 affects Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2 version 1.16S and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exploits improper input validation mechanisms within the software. This vulnerability specifically targets the project file handling functionality of the application, where the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the contents of .frc2 project files. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious project file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, triggers a denial of service condition through excessive cpu resource consumption. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack pattern that can severely impact system availability and operational continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation within the FR Configurator2 software's file parsing routines. When the application attempts to process the rogue .frc2 file, it fails to properly handle malformed or specially crafted data structures that cause the software to enter an infinite loop or consume excessive computational resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes improper input validation as a root cause for resource exhaustion vulnerabilities. The software's failure to implement proper defensive programming practices, including input sanitization and resource monitoring, creates an exploitable condition where a single malicious file can cause the application to become unresponsive. The vulnerability does not appear to involve direct code execution or privilege escalation, but rather focuses on causing system instability through resource depletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application disruption, as it can significantly affect industrial control system environments where Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2 is deployed. In manufacturing and automation settings, the software serves as a critical configuration tool for programmable logic controllers, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology environments. When the application becomes unresponsive due to CPU exhaustion, it can lead to extended downtime for system configuration tasks, potentially causing production delays and requiring manual intervention to restart the application. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks, as the application's unresponsiveness could be exploited to create conditions favorable for additional attacks or to mask other malicious activities within the network. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers resource exhaustion attacks targeting application availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10972 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to FR Configurator2 version 1.17 or later, which addresses the underlying input validation issues. Organizations should also implement strict file access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of malicious file delivery, particularly through email attachments or removable media. Security awareness training for users who may encounter project files from untrusted sources is essential, as social engineering remains a primary attack vector for this type of vulnerability. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual CPU usage patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file transfer patterns and malformed project files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in industrial control systems, where the consequences of denial of service attacks can extend far beyond simple application disruption to impact entire production processes.