CVE-2022-2640 in RCC 972
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2022
The Config-files of Horner Automation’s RCC 972 with firmware version 15.40 are encrypted with weak XOR encryption vulnerable to reverse engineering. This could allow an attacker to obtain credentials to run services such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2640 affects Horner Automation's RCC 972 device running firmware version 15.40, specifically targeting the configuration files that govern system operations and service access. This weakness represents a critical security flaw in the device's cryptographic implementation where configuration data is protected using a fundamentally weak XOR encryption mechanism. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak encryption as classified by CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of algorithms with insufficient strength to provide adequate protection for sensitive data. The configuration files contain critical system information including authentication credentials for various network services, making this weakness particularly dangerous from a cybersecurity perspective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of XOR encryption, a simple bitwise operation that provides no real cryptographic security when applied without proper key management or additional cryptographic layers. XOR encryption is vulnerable to several attack vectors including known plaintext attacks, frequency analysis, and pattern recognition techniques that can be readily automated. The weak nature of XOR encryption means that an attacker with access to the configuration files can potentially reverse engineer the encryption algorithm and extract sensitive information such as FTP and HTTP service credentials. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and specifically targets the extraction of authentication information from system files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized parties to gain access to network services that are typically protected by authentication mechanisms. Once an attacker obtains the credentials through reverse engineering, they can establish unauthorized connections to the FTP and HTTP services, potentially leading to data exfiltration, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network. The RCC 972 device, being a industrial control system component, may be deployed in critical infrastructure environments where such unauthorized access could result in operational disruptions or security breaches. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security posture of the device by providing a direct path to authentication credentials that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2640 should include immediate firmware updates from Horner Automation to address the encryption weakness and implement proper cryptographic practices. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit access to affected devices and implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The configuration files should be reviewed and re-encrypted using strong encryption algorithms such as AES-256 with properly managed keys. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weak cryptographic implementations in industrial control systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in embedded systems and the potential consequences of failing to apply adequate security controls to critical infrastructure components.