CVE-2023-2263 in Kinetix 5700
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2023
The Rockwell Automation Kinetix 5700 DC Bus Power Supply Series A is vulnerable to CIP fuzzing. The new ENIP connections cannot be established if impacted by this vulnerability, which prohibits operational capabilities of the device resulting in a denial-of-service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The Rockwell Automation Kinetix 5700 DC Bus Power Supply Series A represents a critical component in industrial automation systems where reliable power delivery is essential for maintaining operational continuity. This device operates within the industrial control systems domain and interfaces with other networked equipment through the Common Industrial Protocol which enables communication between various industrial devices and control systems. The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-2263 specifically targets the EtherNet/IP implementation within this power supply series, making it susceptible to manipulation through CIP fuzzing techniques. The attack vector exploits weaknesses in the protocol handling mechanisms that govern how the device processes incoming network communications and establishes new connections. When this vulnerability is successfully exploited, it creates a condition where the device becomes unable to establish new ENIP connections, effectively cutting off its ability to communicate with other systems in the industrial network.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient validation and sanitization of incoming CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) messages that the Kinetix 5700 device receives through its EtherNet/IP interface. This vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malformed or malicious CIP packets that when processed by the device's network stack cause it to either crash or become unresponsive. The device's failure to properly handle these malformed packets results in a complete denial of service condition where legitimate network traffic cannot establish new connections. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-242, which covers the use of dangerous functions that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the connection establishment process rather than a complete system crash, making it particularly insidious as it may not be immediately apparent that the device is compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network connectivity issues as it fundamentally disrupts the control system's ability to maintain communication with critical infrastructure components. Industrial control systems rely on continuous communication between devices to maintain process control and monitoring functions, and the inability to establish new connections can lead to cascading failures throughout the industrial network. When the Kinetix 5700 power supply cannot establish new ENIP connections, it cannot receive updated control commands or send status information to other devices, resulting in operational degradation that can affect production processes, safety systems, and overall system reliability. The attack pattern described in this vulnerability matches patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under the T1498 tactic for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to disrupt normal operations. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to the network segment containing the affected device, potentially through lateral movement techniques or by compromising other networked industrial devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate threat and broader network security considerations within industrial environments. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical industrial control systems from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Network access controls should be deployed to limit which devices can communicate with the affected power supply units, and regular network monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Device firmware updates should be applied promptly when available from Rockwell Automation, as these updates typically contain patches for known vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments that can monitor for abnormal CIP traffic patterns and alert operators to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security practices in industrial environments, including regular vulnerability assessments, network monitoring, and security awareness training for personnel who manage these critical systems. Organizations should also develop incident response procedures specifically tailored to industrial control systems that can address denial-of-service attacks targeting critical infrastructure components.