CVE-2023-1698 in Compact Controller CC100
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2023
In multiple products of WAGO a vulnerability allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to create new users and change the device configuration which can result in unintended behaviour, Denial of Service and full system compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1698 affects multiple products within the WAGO product line, representing a critical security flaw that exposes devices to remote exploitation without requiring authentication credentials. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of affected WAGO industrial control systems, specifically targeting the user management and configuration modification functionalities. The flaw allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations that should typically require valid administrative credentials, fundamentally undermining the security posture of these industrial devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access control checks within the device management interfaces, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate device configurations and establish persistent access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate privilege enforcement and weak authentication mechanisms, aligning with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create new user accounts with administrative privileges, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that protect industrial control systems from unauthorized access. The vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities through configuration changes that can alter device behavior, potentially leading to system instability or complete compromise of the industrial control environment. This represents a significant concern for operational technology infrastructure where device integrity and security are paramount to maintaining operational continuity and preventing physical system disruptions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1698 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating potential for severe consequences in industrial environments where WAGO devices are commonly deployed. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can cause denial of service conditions by modifying critical system parameters, potentially rendering industrial control systems non-functional or causing them to behave unpredictably. The ability to create new administrative accounts provides attackers with persistent access to the affected devices, enabling long-term surveillance and potential escalation of attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of industrial control systems, with implications for safety-critical environments where system reliability and security are essential. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, without requiring physical access to the devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1698 should prioritize immediate patching of affected WAGO devices with vendor-provided security updates, as these patches typically address the underlying authentication and authorization flaws. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and monitoring of user account creation activities can help detect unauthorized access attempts that exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access control policies and regularly review administrative privileges to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, making it essential to monitor for unusual account creation patterns and unauthorized configuration changes. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems and configuring device logging to capture authentication events can provide early warning of exploitation attempts and support forensic analysis of security incidents.