CVE-2019-6574 in SINAMICS PERFECT HARMONY GH180
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SINAMICS PERFECT HARMONY GH180 with NXG I control, MLFBs: 6SR2...-, 6SR3...-, 6SR4...- (All Versions with option G21, G22, G23, G26, G28, G31, G32, G38, G43 or G46), SINAMICS PERFECT HARMONY GH180 with NXG II control, MLFBs: 6SR2...-, 6SR3...-, 6SR4...- (All Versions with option G21, G22, G23, G26, G28, G31, G32, G38, G43 or G46). An improperly configured Parameter Read/Write execution via Field bus network may cause the controller to restart. The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with network access to the device. Successful exploitation requires no privileges and no user interaction. An attacker could use the vulnerability to compromise the availability of the affected system. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2023
This vulnerability affects SINAMICS PERFECT HARMONY GH180 series drives with NXG I and NXG II control systems, specifically those configured with certain options including G21, G22, G23, G26, G28, G31, G32, G38, G43, and G46. The flaw resides in the improper configuration of parameter read/write execution over the field bus network interface, creating a condition where malicious actors can trigger unintended controller restarts through network-based attacks. This represents a significant availability risk for industrial control systems, particularly in environments where continuous operation is critical for process automation and manufacturing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the field bus communication protocol handling. When parameters are read or written through the network interface, the system fails to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of the incoming requests, allowing unauthorized modifications that can cause the controller to reset. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for remote code execution through network-based attacks, with the system's response being an immediate restart rather than proper error handling or rejection of invalid requests. The vulnerability exists at the protocol level where parameter access controls are not properly enforced during field bus communication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire industrial processes. Controllers restarts can cause production halts, equipment damage, and safety system failures in manufacturing environments. The lack of privilege requirements and absence of user interaction means that even unauthenticated attackers with network access can exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls are insufficient or where network segmentation is inadequate. The restart behavior can also mask other underlying issues or create cascading failures in interconnected systems that depend on the stability of these drives.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-311 Missing Encryption, as it involves inadequate validation of network requests and potentially exposes sensitive parameter access. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK techniques including T1071.001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1499.004 Endpoint Denial of Service, as it targets endpoint availability through protocol manipulation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network access, apply firmware updates from the vendor, and monitor for unusual restart patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network access controls and ensuring proper parameter access restrictions can mitigate the risk of unauthorized parameter modifications that trigger the controller restart behavior.