CVE-2019-14925 in ME-RTU
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU devices through 2.02 and INEA ME-RTU devices through 3.0. A world-readable /usr/smartrtu/init/settings.xml configuration file on the file system allows an attacker to read sensitive configuration settings such as usernames, passwords, and other sensitive RTU data due to insecure permission assignment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14925 represents a critical misconfiguration issue affecting Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU industrial devices. This flaw stems from improper file system permissions that result in sensitive configuration data being accessible to any user or process on the system. The affected devices operate within industrial control environments where security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security posture of these critical infrastructure components.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure permission assignment applied to the /usr/smartrtu/init/settings.xml file within the device file system. This configuration file contains sensitive information including authentication credentials and system parameters that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The file is configured with world-readable permissions, meaning any user account on the system can access its contents without authentication. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hygiene in the device's default configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for industrial environments that rely on these RTU devices for critical control functions. An attacker who gains access to the device can extract usernames and passwords, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The exposure of sensitive RTU configuration data provides attackers with detailed information about the device's operational parameters, network topology, and authentication mechanisms. This intelligence can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks or to compromise additional systems within the industrial control network, as highlighted by the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance and credential access phases.
The impact extends beyond immediate credential theft to encompass broader security implications for industrial control systems. According to CWE-732, this vulnerability represents an incorrect permission assignment that allows access to resources that should be protected. The affected devices operate in environments where the compromise of a single RTU can potentially affect entire industrial processes, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for critical infrastructure sectors. Organizations using these devices face the risk of unauthorized access to operational technology environments, which could lead to process disruption, data integrity compromise, or even physical safety risks in industrial settings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission remediation and broader security hardening measures. System administrators must ensure that the settings.xml file is configured with appropriate access controls, typically restricting read access to only authorized system processes and administrators. The recommended approach involves implementing proper file system permissions that align with security best practices and industrial control system security guidelines. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their industrial control system configurations to identify similar permission misconfigurations across their network infrastructure. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's information security management practices.