CVE-2019-6542 in Datagate MK2
Summary
by MITRE
ENTTEC Datagate MK2, Storm 24, Pixelator all firmware versions prior to (70044,70050,70060)_update_05032019-482 allows an unauthenticated user to initiate a remote reboot, which may be used to cause a denial of service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6542 affects several ENTTEC lighting control devices including the Datagate MK2, Storm 24, and Pixelator models. These devices operate within professional lighting and entertainment technology environments where reliable system operation is critical for live performances, events, and installations. The flaw resides in the firmware implementations of these devices, specifically in their handling of remote management protocols that should require authentication for critical system operations.
This vulnerability represents a significant security weakness in the device firmware architecture where the reboot functionality can be triggered without proper authentication mechanisms. The affected firmware versions prior to the specified update releases contain a design flaw that allows any remote attacker to send commands that initiate system reboots. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass, as it enables unauthorized users to perform privileged operations through the absence of proper authentication checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire lighting control systems during critical events. When an unauthenticated user can remotely trigger a reboot of these devices, it creates a denial of service condition that can interrupt lighting sequences, cause visual glitches during performances, or even lead to complete system failures during time-sensitive operations. The timing of such disruptions can be catastrophic in professional environments where lighting cues are precisely synchronized with music, speech, or other performance elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal effort as it involves sending specific commands to the device's network interface without requiring any valid credentials or authentication tokens. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected devices, potentially including malicious actors who gain access to the same network segment. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, specifically targeting network infrastructure and services.
Organizations using these devices should immediately implement the firmware updates provided by ENTTEC to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual reboot patterns or unauthorized access attempts to these lighting control systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current firmware versions in industrial control systems and the potential consequences of failing to apply security patches in professional entertainment technology environments.