CVE-2022-1318 in ComNav
Summary
by MITRE • 04/20/2022
Hills ComNav version 3002-19 suffers from a weak communication channel. Traffic across the local network for the configuration pages can be viewed by a malicious actor. The size of certain communications packets are predictable. This would allow an attacker to learn the state of the system if they can observe the traffic. This would be possible even if the traffic were encrypted, e.g., using WPA2, as the packet sizes would remain observable. The communication encryption scheme is theoretically sound, but is not strong enough for the level of protection required.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1318 affects Hills ComNav version 3002-19, a network communication device that presents significant security weaknesses in its local network communication protocols. This weakness manifests through a fundamentally flawed communication channel design that compromises the confidentiality of system configuration data. The vulnerability stems from predictable packet sizing characteristics that create observable patterns in network traffic, allowing malicious actors to infer system state information without decrypting the actual data content. The issue represents a classic example of side-channel information leakage where the metadata of communications reveals critical system information, making it particularly concerning for industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices that require robust security measures.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability resides in the predictable packet size characteristics of the communication protocol used by the ComNav device. This predictability creates a timing and size-based information disclosure channel that operates independently of the encryption mechanisms in place. Even when utilizing standard security protocols such as WPA2 encryption, attackers can observe network traffic patterns and correlate packet sizes with system states, effectively bypassing the encryption layer through passive monitoring techniques. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues including weak encryption and predictable patterns in cryptographic implementations. The device's communication design fails to implement proper padding or randomization of packet sizes, creating a scenario where an attacker can correlate network traffic with specific system operations or states.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1318 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks against the affected network infrastructure. An attacker who can observe the network traffic can reconstruct system behavior patterns, identify operational sequences, and potentially predict system responses to certain inputs. This information can be leveraged to plan more targeted attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or system manipulation that takes advantage of the predictable communication patterns. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems where the confidentiality of operational data is critical, and the ability to infer system states through passive monitoring creates a significant risk for environments where such devices are deployed. The weakness creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the device operates within the network, making it particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure applications where the device may be exposed to untrusted network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate communication channel weaknesses and the broader security posture of the affected systems. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the ComNav devices from critical network segments, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The use of network monitoring tools to detect and alert on anomalous packet size patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Device firmware updates should be prioritized to address the predictable packet sizing issue, though organizations may need to implement network-level protections such as traffic shaping or randomization techniques to prevent information leakage. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper security controls for industrial communication protocols, as defined by standards such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems. Organizations should consider implementing additional layers of authentication and access control to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while also ensuring that communication protocols are designed with proper information hiding mechanisms to prevent side-channel attacks. The attack surface can be reduced by implementing network access controls and monitoring that prevents unauthorized observation of network traffic patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1071.5 for application layer protocol traffic shaping.