CVE-2020-10285 in RVD
Summary
by MITRE
The authentication implementation on the xArm controller has very low entropy, making it vulnerable to a brute-force attack. There is no mechanism in place to mitigate or lockout automated attempts to gain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10285 affects the authentication mechanisms within xArm robotic controllers, presenting a significant security risk through weak credential protection. This flaw resides in the controller's authentication implementation where the entropy of generated credentials or authentication tokens is extremely low, creating predictable patterns that can be easily exploited by attackers. The xArm controllers are industrial robotic systems commonly used in manufacturing and automation environments where physical security and access control are paramount. The low entropy in authentication implementation directly violates fundamental security principles that require strong cryptographic randomness to generate secure credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient randomness in the authentication token generation process, which allows attackers to perform brute-force attacks with minimal computational resources and time investment. This vulnerability stems from inadequate entropy sources during credential creation, potentially resulting in weak passwords or tokens that can be guessed or computed through systematic trial-and-error approaches. The absence of account lockout mechanisms or rate limiting further compounds the issue, as automated attack tools can continuously attempt authentication without facing any protective barriers. This weakness creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to industrial robotic systems that control critical manufacturing processes and potentially sensitive production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised xArm controllers could lead to production disruptions, data breaches, and potential physical safety hazards in industrial settings. Attackers with access to these systems could manipulate robotic movements, alter production parameters, or gain control over critical manufacturing processes. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of industrial control systems, potentially leading to financial losses, safety incidents, and compromise of intellectual property. Organizations relying on xArm controllers for automated manufacturing processes face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where industrial control systems are not adequately segmented from corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust authentication mechanisms with sufficient entropy, including the deployment of strong password policies, account lockout procedures, and rate limiting for authentication attempts. Organizations should consider upgrading to versions with enhanced cryptographic implementations and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these industrial controllers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-338, which addresses weak random number generation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for Brute Force Attacks targeting network services. Additional protective measures include implementing multi-factor authentication, monitoring authentication attempts for suspicious patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar weaknesses in authentication implementations.