CVE-2019-6830 in Modicon M580
Summary
by MITRE
A CWE-248: Uncaught Exception vulnerability exists IN Modicon M580 all versions prior to V2.80, which could cause a possible denial of service when sending an appropriately timed HTTP request to the controller.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6830 represents a critical uncaught exception flaw in Modicon M580 controllers running firmware versions prior to V2.80. This issue falls under CWE-248, which specifically addresses the scenario where an exception or error condition is not properly handled by the application, leading to unexpected program termination or system instability. The Modicon M580 is a programmable logic controller manufactured by Schneider Electric, widely deployed in industrial environments for critical automation and control functions. The vulnerability manifests when the controller receives a carefully crafted HTTP request that triggers an unhandled exception within the web server component of the device's operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through network-based attack vectors targeting the controller's HTTP interface. When an attacker sends an appropriately timed HTTP request, the controller's web server fails to properly handle the malformed or unexpected request, resulting in an uncaught exception that causes the web server process to terminate. This termination leads to a denial of service condition where the controller becomes inaccessible through its web interface, effectively disabling remote management and monitoring capabilities. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects the controller's ability to maintain operational availability during critical industrial processes, where continuous access to control systems is essential for maintaining production continuity and safety protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise industrial control system integrity and availability. In industrial environments where Modicon M580 controllers are deployed for critical infrastructure management, such as manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, or water treatment systems, a denial of service attack could result in significant operational downtime. The vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves network denial of service attacks targeting industrial control systems. The affected controllers may become completely unreachable through their HTTP management interface, forcing operators to rely on alternative access methods such as local console connections or physical presence, which significantly increases operational complexity and response time during emergency situations.
Organizations operating Modicon M580 controllers should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary and most effective remediation involves upgrading the controller firmware to version V2.80 or later, which includes proper exception handling mechanisms for HTTP requests. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict unauthorized access to the controller's HTTP interface, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful denial of service conditions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware for industrial control systems and following vendor security advisories to ensure protection against known threats in operational technology environments.