CVE-2019-14928 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 number of stored cross-site script (XSS) vulnerabilities allow an attacker to inject malicious code directly into the application. An example input variable vulnerable to stored XSS is SerialInitialModemString in the index.php page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14928 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU devices across specific firmware versions. This security weakness resides within the web-based management interface of these industrial control devices, creating a persistent threat vector that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage. The vulnerability specifically impacts the index.php page where the SerialInitialModemString parameter serves as an entry point for malicious code injection, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payloads persist in the device's database and are executed whenever the affected page is accessed, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where these devices manage critical infrastructure operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web application's user interface components. When legitimate users enter data through the SerialInitialModemString field, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before storing it in the database. This omission allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that contain script code which gets stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected page. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of insecure data handling in web applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these devices operate in industrial control environments where unauthorized access could compromise critical manufacturing processes, power grid operations, or other essential infrastructure systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond traditional web application security concerns due to the industrial nature of the affected devices. Attackers could potentially manipulate the modem initialization strings to redirect communication channels, disrupt industrial processes, or establish persistent access points within industrial networks. The stored XSS vulnerability creates a long-term threat vector where malicious scripts can execute against any user who accesses the affected management interface, including system administrators and operators who may be unknowingly exposed to compromised sessions. This threat is exacerbated by the fact that these devices often operate in environments where network segmentation is limited, allowing lateral movement once initial access is achieved. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells, demonstrating how stored XSS can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14928 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Mitsubishi Electric to address the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations must implement network segmentation to isolate these industrial control devices from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data before storage, while output encoding should be implemented to prevent script execution in rendered content. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious input patterns in device management interfaces, and regular security assessments should verify that all user inputs are properly sanitized. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for known malicious payloads associated with XSS attacks, while access controls should be tightened to limit administrative privileges to only essential personnel. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems, where traditional web application security measures must be adapted to protect critical infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.