CVE-2019-18311 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 7061/tcp. This vulnerability is independent from CVE-2019-18310. 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-2019-18311 affects the SPPA-T3000 MS3000 Migration Server, a critical component in industrial automation and control systems. This server operates within the process automation domain, managing migration processes for industrial control systems that require high availability and reliability. The affected system represents a significant operational technology (OT) component where denial-of-service conditions can have severe consequences for industrial processes, potentially leading to production downtime, safety risks, and operational disruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication protocol stack running on port 7061/tcp, which serves as the primary interface for migration operations within the MS3000 environment.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper input validation and error handling within the server's packet processing mechanism. When an attacker sends specifically crafted packets to the designated TCP port, the system fails to properly handle the malformed data, resulting in a service disruption that effectively renders the migration server unavailable. This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, exploiting weaknesses in the server's ability to process incoming network traffic without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. The flaw likely stems from insufficient validation of packet headers, payload lengths, or protocol fields that could cause the server to crash or enter an unstable state. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and Bounds Checking, specifically manifesting as improper handling of malformed network input that leads to service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as the MS3000 Migration Server plays a crucial role in maintaining industrial control system integrity during migration processes. Organizations relying on this server for critical infrastructure operations face potential production halts when this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where continuous operation is mandated for safety and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's exploitation requires network access to the target system, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents a network-based attack vector that can be executed from external positions. The absence of known public exploitation at the time of advisory publication does not diminish the severity, as the potential for automated exploitation exists and the consequences for industrial operations could be catastrophic.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing network segmentation to restrict access to port 7061/tcp, ensuring that only authorized network segments can communicate with the migration server. Network access control lists and firewalls should be configured to limit connections to this specific port to trusted sources only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous packet patterns on port 7061, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vendor should be consulted for firmware updates or patches that address the underlying input validation issues, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the server's network protocol handling capabilities. Regular network monitoring and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that network segmentation policies remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.