CVE-2019-10976 in FR Configurator2
Summary
by MITRE
Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2, Version 1.16S and prior. This vulnerability is triggered when input passed to the XML parser is not sanitized while parsing the XML project and/or template file (.frc2). Once a user opens the file, the attacker could read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10976 affects Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2 software version 1.16S and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial automation configuration tools. This issue resides within the XML parsing functionality of the software, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted XML project or template files to trigger unintended behavior. The vulnerability specifically impacts the .frc2 file format used by the configurator, which is designed for storing industrial automation project configurations and templates. When users open these files, the application's XML parser processes the input without adequate sanitization, creating a path for arbitrary file access attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability classified under CWE-611, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize XML input before processing. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious XML files containing references to local system resources that can be accessed during the parsing process. The vulnerability operates through the standard XML parsing mechanism, where the software's XML parser does not restrict access to external resources or properly handle entity references within the XML structure. When an attacker creates a specially crafted .frc2 file with malicious XML content, the parser processes these elements without proper boundary checks, allowing for unauthorized file system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for industrial environments where Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2 is deployed. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can read arbitrary files from the system where the application is running, potentially accessing sensitive configuration data, project files, or even system-level information. This capability extends beyond simple file reading to potentially expose confidential industrial control system configurations, operational parameters, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control environments where these configurator tools are used for managing critical infrastructure automation systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10976 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves updating to Mitsubishi Electric FR Configurator2 version 1.17 or later, which contains patches addressing the XML parsing vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies, ensuring that only trusted and verified .frc2 files are opened within the application environment. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems running the configurator tool. Additionally, security awareness training for industrial control system operators should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files and the importance of verifying file sources before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in industrial control system software and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML external entity processing, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures in industrial automation environments.