CVE-2019-14929 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. Stored cleartext passwords could allow an unauthenticated attacker to obtain configured username and password combinations on the RTU due to the weak credentials management on the RTU. An unauthenticated user can obtain the exposed password credentials to gain access to the following services: DDNS service, Mobile Network Provider, and OpenVPN service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
This vulnerability affects Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU devices where stored credentials are exposed in cleartext format, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems. The flaw represents a critical weakness in credential management practices that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to directly access sensitive configuration data without requiring any prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where device security is paramount.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor password storage practices where credentials are not properly encrypted or hashed before being stored within the device configuration. This cleartext exposure occurs at the application level within the RTU firmware, specifically affecting the management interfaces that handle network service configurations. The vulnerability affects multiple service types including DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) services, Mobile Network Provider configurations, and OpenVPN service settings, all of which require valid authentication credentials to function properly. This represents a direct violation of CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-521 (Weak Password Requirements) security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with access to critical network infrastructure services that could enable further attacks within the industrial network. An unauthenticated attacker with access to these exposed credentials could potentially disrupt services, modify network configurations, or establish persistent access points through the OpenVPN service. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these RTU devices are typically deployed in industrial environments where network segmentation may be limited, allowing lateral movement once initial access is gained. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing for Information) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it exploits weak credential storage to obtain legitimate access credentials.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Mitsubishi Electric to address the cleartext credential storage issue, network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and regular security audits to identify other potentially exposed credentials. Additional protective measures include implementing strong password policies, enabling encryption for all stored credentials, and establishing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper credential management in industrial environments and highlights the need for adherence to security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and IEC 62443 for industrial control system security. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar credential storage weaknesses across the industrial control system infrastructure.