CVE-2019-18307 in SPPA-T3000 MS3000 Migration Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SPPA-T3000 MS3000 Migration Server (All versions). An attacker with network access to the MS3000 Server could trigger a Denial-of-Service condition by sending specifically crafted packets to port 5010/tcp. This vulnerability is independent from CVE-2019-18290, CVE-2019-18291, CVE-2019-18292, CVE-2019-18294, CVE-2019-18298, CVE-2019-18299, CVE-2019-18300, CVE-2019-18301, CVE-2019-18302, CVE-2019-18303, CVE-2019-18304, CVE-2019-18305, and CVE-2019-18306. Please note that an attacker needs to have network access to the MS3000 in order to exploit this vulnerability. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18307 affects the SPPA-T3000 MS3000 Migration Server, a critical component in industrial automation systems used for managing and migrating data within power plant control environments. This device operates as a server application that facilitates data migration processes between different system configurations, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to disrupt industrial operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the server's handling of network communications on TCP port 5010, which serves as the primary communication channel for migration operations. The affected system represents a significant risk to operational technology environments where continuous operation is critical for power generation and distribution processes.
The technical flaw in CVE-2019-18307 stems from inadequate input validation within the MS3000 Migration Server's network protocol handling mechanism. When the server receives specially crafted network packets on port 5010, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data structure, leading to a condition where malformed packets can cause the server process to crash or become unresponsive. This represents a classic denial-of-service vulnerability that operates at the application layer of the network stack, where the server's processing logic does not adequately handle unexpected packet formats or malformed data sequences. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400 as an Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically manifesting as a resource exhaustion condition that affects the server's ability to maintain normal operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it directly threatens the availability of critical industrial control systems that manage power generation infrastructure. In power plant environments, the MS3000 Migration Server may be responsible for maintaining system integrity during maintenance operations, software upgrades, or configuration changes that require data migration between different control system versions. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, the resulting denial-of-service condition can prevent legitimate operators from performing necessary maintenance tasks, potentially leading to extended downtime or forcing emergency procedures that may compromise system safety. The vulnerability's exploitation requires network access to the target server, which means that physical security measures and network segmentation play crucial roles in mitigating risk, though this also implies that internal network threats remain a significant concern.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18307 should focus on both network-level protections and application-level hardening measures. Network segmentation and access control lists should be implemented to restrict direct network access to port 5010, ensuring that only authorized personnel and systems can communicate with the migration server. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The manufacturer should provide a firmware update or patch that addresses the input validation flaw in the server's packet handling routines, which would be consistent with industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-41 for managing network security vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant systems or failover mechanisms to ensure that critical migration operations can continue even if the primary server becomes unavailable due to this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial-of-service attacks, highlighting the importance of maintaining resilient industrial control system architectures that can withstand targeted disruption attempts.