CVE-2020-5675 in GT2107-WTBD
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2020
Out-of-bounds read issue in GT21 model of GOT2000 series (GT2107-WTBD all versions, GT2107-WTSD all versions, GT2104-RTBD all versions, GT2104-PMBD all versions, and GT2103-PMBD all versions), GS21 model of GOT series (GS2110-WTBD all versions and GS2107-WTBD all versions), and Tension Controller LE7-40GU-L all versions allows a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by sending a specially crafted packet. As a result, deterioration of communication performance or a denial-of-service (DoS) condition of the TCP communication functions of the products may occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw affecting multiple industrial networking devices within the GOT2000 and GOT series product lines. The issue specifically impacts GT21 model devices including GT2107-WTBD, GT2107-WTSD, GT2104-RTBD, GT2104-PMBD, and GT2103-PMBD variants, alongside GS21 model devices such as GS2110-WTBD and GS2107-WTBD, and the Tension Controller LE7-40GU-L device. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the TCP communication processing routines where the device fails to properly bounds-check data received from network packets. This flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, making it a classic example of buffer over-read conditions that can lead to system instability and denial-of-service scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote packet injection attacks where an attacker crafts specially formatted network packets designed to trigger the out-of-bounds memory access. When these malformed packets are received by the affected devices, the processing code attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior in the TCP communication stack. This results in immediate system instability where the device's communication functions become degraded or completely unavailable, effectively creating a denial-of-service condition that can persist until manual intervention or device reboot occurs. The remote nature of this attack means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from outside the local network perimeter without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to industrial control systems and network infrastructure where these devices are deployed. The affected products are typically used in manufacturing environments, process control systems, and industrial automation networks where continuous communication is critical for operations. When the TCP communication functions become compromised, it can lead to complete loss of connectivity between control systems and field devices, potentially causing production halts, safety system failures, or data integrity issues. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect the reliability of industrial networks and may require extensive network reconfiguration or device replacement to fully remediate.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor, which typically contain patched code that implements proper bounds checking mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control measures can help reduce the attack surface by limiting which systems can communicate with these vulnerable devices. Implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual packet patterns may help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of these affected models within their industrial control networks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability exploitation under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the need for proper network monitoring and access controls. Given the industrial nature of these devices, the remediation process may also require coordination with industrial cybersecurity teams and potentially system downtime for firmware deployment and validation.