CVE-2020-18759 in PLC MAC1100
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2021
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the EPA protocol of Dut Computer Control Engineering Co.'s PLC MAC1100.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2021
The information disclosure vulnerability identified in CVE-2020-18759 resides within the EPA protocol implementation of Dut Computer Control Engineering Co.'s PLC MAC1100 industrial control device. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive operational data through improper access controls and insufficient authentication mechanisms. The EPA protocol, commonly used in industrial environments for communication between programmable logic controllers and various networked devices, fails to adequately protect confidential information from unauthorized access. This weakness allows attackers to potentially extract proprietary process data, operational parameters, and configuration details that could compromise industrial control systems. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can be classified under CWE-200 as exposure of sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests in the protocol handling mechanism where the PLC MAC1100 does not properly validate incoming requests or authenticate entities attempting to access sensitive information through the EPA interface. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform unauthorized data retrieval operations, potentially gaining insights into industrial processes, control parameters, and system configurations that should remain protected. This weakness enables passive information gathering that can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks targeting industrial control systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects industrial environments where the confidentiality of operational data is paramount for maintaining competitive advantages and operational security. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of secure communication protocols and inadequate access control enforcement within industrial control systems, creating an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 for system discovery and T1567 for exfiltration of data.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially enable more severe attacks against industrial control infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain valuable intelligence about the target industrial process, including timing information, operational sequences, and control parameters that could be leveraged for further exploitation. This information could facilitate the development of targeted attacks against the control systems, potentially leading to operational disruption or safety hazards. The vulnerability affects systems where the PLC MAC1100 serves as a communication hub between various industrial devices, making it a critical component in the overall security posture of industrial environments. The exposure of sensitive information through this vulnerability could result in competitive disadvantages for organizations and potentially compromise national security if the industrial processes involve critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-18759 should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms, access controls, and network segmentation for industrial control systems. Organizations should ensure that the EPA protocol implementation includes robust authentication requirements and that sensitive information is properly protected through encryption and access control lists. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the PLC MAC1100 and its EPA protocol interface to authorized personnel only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in industrial control systems. The implementation of secure communication protocols and proper configuration management practices can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized attempts to access sensitive information through the EPA protocol interface. These measures align with industrial security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443 standards that emphasize the importance of protecting industrial control system information and maintaining secure communication protocols.