CVE-2020-18754 in PLC MAC1100
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2021
An information disclosure vulnerability exists within Dut Computer Control Engineering Co.'s PLC MAC1100.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2021
The information disclosure vulnerability in Dut Computer Control Engineering Co.'s PLC MAC1100 represents a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive system data to unauthorized parties. This industrial control system device operates within critical infrastructure environments where security is paramount, making such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper data handling mechanisms within the device's firmware, allowing attackers to extract confidential information without proper authentication. The PLC MAC1100 serves as a programmable logic controller that manages industrial processes, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to understand system configurations, operational parameters, or proprietary control logic. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with crucial insights into the industrial control environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks against the broader infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the device's failure to properly validate access requests and sanitize output data streams. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted requests to the device's communication interfaces, which then respond with sensitive information such as system configuration details, user credentials, or operational parameters. The flaw likely resides in the device's web interface or communication protocols where authentication mechanisms are either absent or insufficiently enforced. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines information exposure as a weakness where systems inadvertently reveal sensitive information to unauthorized users. The implementation typically involves improper access control checks or insufficient data sanitization before transmission, creating pathways for unauthorized data retrieval through network-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of industrial control systems. When attackers gain access to PLC configuration data, they can identify system weaknesses, understand control logic implementations, and develop targeted attacks against specific industrial processes. The disclosure of operational parameters may enable adversaries to manipulate system behavior or predict control sequences, leading to potential operational disruptions or safety hazards. This vulnerability particularly affects critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, power generation, and water treatment facilities where PLCs control essential processes. The impact is compounded by the fact that many industrial environments lack comprehensive security monitoring, making such information disclosures difficult to detect and respond to promptly. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1082 (System Information Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can use the disclosed information to further compromise the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Dut Computer Control Engineering Co. to address the access control deficiencies and implement proper data sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should deploy network segmentation to isolate PLC devices from general network traffic and implement strict access controls using network access control lists. Regular security assessments including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in industrial control systems. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous communication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing secure configuration practices such as disabling unnecessary services, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly updating system firmware helps reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control systems to ensure rapid detection and remediation of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining comprehensive inventory of industrial control system components to ensure complete protection coverage.