CVE-2021-23287 in Intelligent Power Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of input of certain resources within the IPM software. This issue affects: Intelligent Power Manager (IPM 1) versions prior to 1.70.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-23287 represents a critical input validation weakness within the Intelligent Power Manager (IPM 1) software ecosystem. This flaw resides in the insufficient validation of input data for specific resources within the IPM software architecture, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and operational security. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of IPM 1 software prior to version 1.70, indicating that organizations running older iterations of this power management software face heightened risk exposure. The affected software operates within industrial control systems and power management environments where reliability and security are paramount for maintaining operational continuity and preventing unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design. This classification indicates that the software fails to adequately validate or sanitize input data before processing, potentially allowing malicious actors to inject malformed or unexpected data into the system. The insufficient validation mechanism creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate resource handling processes through carefully crafted input sequences that could bypass normal operational constraints. This weakness typically manifests when the software assumes all input data is trustworthy without proper verification mechanisms, leading to potential exploitation through various attack vectors including buffer overflows, injection attacks, or resource manipulation techniques that leverage the inadequate input validation controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-23287 extends beyond simple data corruption or system instability, as it directly affects power management systems that control critical infrastructure components. Organizations utilizing IPM 1 software versions prior to 1.70 face potential risks including unauthorized power control operations, disruption of power distribution systems, and possible compromise of industrial control environments. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate power delivery parameters, potentially causing equipment damage, operational outages, or creating security breaches within facilities that depend on precise power management. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability undermines the trust model of the power management system, potentially allowing adversaries to gain unauthorized access to critical power infrastructure controls that could affect multiple systems within a facility's operational environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-23287 primarily focus on upgrading to IPM 1 version 1.70 or later, which includes the necessary input validation improvements to address the identified weakness. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to IPM 1 systems, implementing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous input patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious activity related to power management interfaces and resource manipulation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that defensive measures aligned with ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials, should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to power management functions that could exploit this input validation weakness. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected IPM 1 versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and criticality of the power management infrastructure components involved.