CVE-2020-12503 in RocketLinx Comtrol
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2020
Improper Authorization vulnerability of Pepperl+Fuchs P+F Comtrol RocketLinx ES7510-XT, ES8509-XT, ES8510-XT, ES9528-XTv2, ES7506, ES7510, ES7528, ES8508, ES8508F, ES8510, ES8510-XTE, ES9528/ES9528-XT (all versions) and ICRL-M-8RJ45/4SFP-G-DIN, ICRL-M-16RJ45/4CP-G-DIN FW 1.2.3 and below is prone to multiple authenticated command injections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-12503 represents a critical improper authorization flaw affecting multiple Pepperl+Fuchs industrial networking devices including the RocketLinx ES7510-XT series and ICRL-M series with firmware versions 1.2.3 and below. This vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that allow authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands through specially crafted inputs. The affected devices operate within industrial control systems where proper authorization controls are paramount for maintaining operational integrity and security. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of industrial networking equipment that serves as critical communication infrastructure for industrial automation and control systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves command injection vulnerabilities that occur when the affected devices fail to properly validate and sanitize user inputs received through authenticated sessions. When legitimate users authenticate to these industrial devices, they can manipulate input parameters to inject malicious commands that bypass normal authorization checks. This weakness exists in the device's web interface and command processing mechanisms, allowing authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the authenticated user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because industrial control systems often require elevated privileges for configuration changes, and command injection can lead to complete system compromise. This issue maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-89 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing command injection vulnerabilities that exploit improper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enabling complete system compromise and disruption of industrial operations. An attacker with valid credentials could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over industrial networking equipment, potentially leading to denial of service conditions, data manipulation, or unauthorized configuration changes. In industrial environments where these devices control critical infrastructure, such an attack could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, or regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects devices that typically operate in environments where continuous operation is critical, making the potential for service interruption particularly damaging. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be exploited through techniques such as command injection and privilege escalation, allowing attackers to move laterally within industrial networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Pepperl+Fuchs to address the authorization and input validation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these industrial devices and ensure that only authorized personnel can establish authenticated sessions. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular credential rotation procedures can help minimize the impact if an attacker gains access to valid credentials. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in industrial environments and the need for comprehensive security testing of industrial control system components.