CVE-2020-11952 in PDU-3C002DEC
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Rittal PDU-3C002DEC through 5.17.10 and CMCIII-PU-9333E0FB through 3.17.10 devices. Attackers can bypass the CLI menu.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11952 affects Rittal power distribution units and climate management controllers, specifically the PDU-3C002DEC series through firmware version 5.17.10 and the CMCIII-PU-9333E0FB series through firmware version 3.17.10. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication mechanisms protecting these industrial networked devices. The affected devices are commonly deployed in data centers and server rooms where they manage power distribution and environmental conditions, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise critical infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of command line interface access controls, allowing unauthorized users to bypass the established security boundaries that should protect administrative functions.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection and privilege escalation vulnerability within the device's command line interface implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to administrative functions without proper authentication credentials, effectively circumventing the device's built-in security controls. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the device's access control mechanisms, which are designed to restrict administrative access to authorized personnel only. The flaw exists in how the system validates user credentials and session management within the command line interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to critical device functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Rittal devices for power and environmental management. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the affected devices, potentially leading to complete compromise of the data center or server room environment. This includes the ability to modify power distribution settings, alter environmental controls, disable monitoring systems, and potentially cause physical damage to connected equipment. The vulnerability also enables attackers to establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure, as these devices often serve as critical network nodes with elevated privileges. The compromise of such devices can lead to extended outages, data loss, and potential safety hazards in environments where precise environmental controls are essential.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Rittal to address the identified vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of command line interface access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Additionally, implementing network access controls through firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to these devices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially affected devices in the network infrastructure, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other industrial control systems.