CVE-2020-24573 in eibPort
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2020
BAB TECHNOLOGIE GmbH eibPort V3 prior to 3.8.3 devices allow denial of service (Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) via requests to the lighttpd component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24573 affects eibPort V3 devices manufactured by BAB TECHNOLOGIE GmbH, specifically versions prior to 3.8.3. This issue manifests as an uncontrolled resource consumption flaw that can lead to denial of service conditions within the affected systems. The vulnerability resides within the lighttpd web server component that is integrated into these devices, making it accessible through network requests that target the web interface. The affected devices operate within industrial automation and building control environments where reliable network services are critical for operational continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and resource management within the lighttpd web server module. When malicious or malformed requests are sent to the device's web interface, the lighttpd component fails to properly handle these inputs, leading to excessive resource consumption. This uncontrolled resource consumption typically manifests as memory exhaustion or cpu utilization spikes that prevent the device from properly servicing legitimate requests. The flaw represents a classic example of resource exhaustion attacks that can be exploited through simple network-based requests without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire building automation systems. In industrial control environments, eibPort devices serve as critical communication nodes that facilitate building management protocols such as KNX, which controls lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other essential systems. When these devices become unresponsive due to resource exhaustion, it can result in complete loss of control over affected building systems, leading to safety concerns, operational inefficiencies, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where continuous operation is mandated, such as hospitals, data centers, or manufacturing facilities where automated building controls are essential.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which catalogs weaknesses related to uncontrolled resource consumption, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to eibPort V3 version 3.8.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the resource consumption flaws. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual resource consumption patterns. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other networked industrial control systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in embedded web server implementations. The incident underscores the critical need for robust input validation and resource management practices in industrial network appliances where reliability and availability are paramount.