CVE-2020-10288 in RVD
Summary
by MITRE
IRC5 exposes an ftp server (port 21). Upon attempting to gain access you are challenged with a request of username and password, however you can input whatever you like. As long as the field isn't empty it will be accepted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-10288 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the IRC5 system that exposes an FTP server on port 21. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and weak authentication mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this industrial control system. The vulnerability exists within the context of industrial internet of things environments where legacy systems often lack modern security controls, making them prime targets for unauthorized access attempts.
The technical flaw manifests as a permissive authentication mechanism that accepts any non-empty username and password combination without proper validation. This design flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-287, which addresses authentication failures and improper authentication mechanisms. The system's failure to implement proper credential verification creates a pathway for unauthorized users to gain access to potentially sensitive industrial data and control systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it demonstrates a lack of input sanitization and validation that should be fundamental to any secure authentication system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to industrial environments where the IRC5 system may control critical infrastructure components. An attacker exploiting this weakness could potentially access industrial control data, modify system parameters, or gain unauthorized control over connected equipment. The impact extends beyond simple data access as this vulnerability could enable lateral movement within industrial networks, potentially compromising multiple systems and creating cascading security failures. The ease of exploitation, requiring only non-empty input fields, means that even basic attackers can successfully bypass authentication mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the IRC5 system from critical infrastructure, disabling unnecessary FTP services where possible, and implementing strong access controls through network firewalls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly focusing on credential access and defense evasion techniques. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities across industrial control systems. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and authentication mechanisms aligns with NIST cybersecurity frameworks and ISO 27001 standards for industrial security management, ensuring comprehensive protection against such vulnerabilities.