CVE-2023-1935 in ROC800
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2023
ROC800-Series RTU devices are vulnerable to an authentication bypass, which could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to data or control of the device and cause a denial-of-service condition.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2023
The ROC800-Series Remote Terminal Units represent critical infrastructure components deployed in industrial environments for monitoring and control operations. These devices serve as the primary interface between field sensors and central control systems, making their security paramount to overall operational integrity. The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-1935 specifically targets the authentication mechanisms within these RTU devices, creating a significant security risk that could compromise entire industrial control networks. This vulnerability resides within the device's access control implementation, potentially allowing malicious actors to circumvent standard authentication procedures without proper credentials.
The technical flaw manifests as an authentication bypass vulnerability that enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative interfaces and operational controls. This weakness likely stems from improper validation of authentication tokens or flawed session management protocols within the device firmware. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could lead to complete device compromise, allowing attackers to modify operational parameters, disrupt control processes, or extract sensitive operational data. The authentication bypass could occur through various means including but not limited to predictable session identifiers, weak cryptographic implementations, or improper input validation in authentication handlers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for industrial environments that rely on ROC800-Series RTUs for critical infrastructure monitoring and control. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could cause significant disruption to industrial processes by manipulating device settings, disabling critical functions, or creating denial-of-service conditions that prevent legitimate operators from accessing control systems. The potential for cascading failures exists when compromised devices are part of larger control networks, as unauthorized access to one device could provide lateral movement opportunities to other networked systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of industrial control systems, potentially leading to operational downtime, safety risks, and financial losses.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of authentication attempts and network traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1499 for endpoint disruption. Additional protective measures include implementing strong access controls, regular security assessments, and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system environments. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous authentication patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for industrial control systems and demonstrates the ongoing need for comprehensive security assessments in operational technology environments.