CVE-2021-22772 in Easergy T200
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2021
A CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability exists in Easergy T200 ((Modbus) SC2-04MOD-07000100 and earlier), Easergy T200 ((IEC104) SC2-04IEC-07000100 and earlier), and Easergy T200 ((DNP3) SC2-04DNP-07000102 and earlier) that could cause unauthorized operation when authentication is bypassed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2021-22772 represents a critical authentication flaw affecting Easergy T200 series devices that implement Modbus, IEC104, and DNP3 communication protocols. This weakness falls under CWE-306, which specifically addresses the absence of authentication for critical functions within software systems. The affected devices include various firmware versions of the Easergy T200 series, with particular attention to SC2-04MOD-07000100 and earlier for Modbus implementations, SC2-04IEC-07000100 and earlier for IEC104 implementations, and SC2-04DNP-07000102 and earlier for DNP3 implementations. These industrial control devices are commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments where secure communication and operational integrity are paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that protect critical operational functions within the Easergy T200 devices. When authentication is bypassed, unauthorized users can potentially access and manipulate critical system functions without proper authorization. This flaw exists at the protocol implementation level where the devices fail to properly validate user credentials before executing sensitive operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple communication protocols that are standard in industrial automation and control systems, suggesting a systemic issue in the device's security architecture. The bypass occurs at the authentication layer, meaning that even if legitimate authentication mechanisms exist, they are either not properly enforced or are completely missing from the critical function access paths.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial control systems that rely on Easergy T200 devices for monitoring and control functions. Unauthorized access to these devices could enable attackers to modify operational parameters, disrupt processes, or gain control over critical infrastructure components. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the vulnerability allows for potential manipulation of critical system functions that could lead to operational failures, safety hazards, or security breaches. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform malicious operations such as changing setpoints, modifying control logic, or accessing sensitive operational data. This represents a significant concern for organizations implementing industrial internet of things solutions where these devices form part of the operational technology infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for malicious code injection, as attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to establish unauthorized access and execute malicious operations within industrial control systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and implementation of additional authentication layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and abnormal operational behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust authentication mechanisms in industrial control systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operational technology devices. Organizations using these devices should conduct thorough security assessments to identify other potential authentication weaknesses and ensure proper access controls are implemented across their industrial networks.