CVE-2023-2423 in Armor PowerFlex
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2023
A vulnerability was discovered in the Rockwell Automation Armor PowerFlex device when the product sends communications to the local event log. Threat actors could exploit this vulnerability by sending an influx of network commands, causing the product to generate an influx of event log traffic at a high rate. If exploited, the product would stop normal operations and self-reset creating a denial-of-service condition. The error code would need to be cleared prior to resuming normal operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2023
This vulnerability exists within Rockwell Automation Armor PowerFlex devices where the product's communication handling with local event logs creates a potential denial-of-service scenario. The flaw manifests when the device receives an excessive volume of network commands that trigger rapid event log generation, leading to system instability and operational disruption. The vulnerability represents a classic resource exhaustion attack vector that targets the device's logging mechanisms rather than its core processing capabilities, making it particularly insidious in industrial control environments where continuous operation is critical.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and rate limiting mechanisms within the device's communication processing stack. When subjected to high-volume command sequences, the PowerFlex device fails to properly throttle or filter incoming network traffic, resulting in uncontrolled event log generation that overwhelms the system's resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without proper limits or throttling, and demonstrates how inadequate resource management can lead to system-wide operational failures. The device's architecture appears to lack proper circuit breaker patterns or traffic shaping mechanisms that would prevent such rapid log generation from overwhelming the system's operational capacity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it creates a cascading effect that can compromise industrial control system integrity. When the device enters a reset state due to excessive log generation, it creates gaps in process monitoring and control that could potentially lead to safety issues in manufacturing environments. The requirement for manual error code clearing before normal operations resume indicates that this is not a transient condition but rather a persistent state that requires operator intervention, disrupting production workflows and potentially causing downstream operational failures. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where continuous operation is mandated, such as process control systems, where even brief interruptions can result in significant production losses or safety hazards.
Mitigation strategies should focus on network-level filtering and access control measures that prevent unauthorized or excessive command sequences from reaching the affected devices. Implementing rate limiting at the network perimeter and establishing proper authentication mechanisms can significantly reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to isolate critical control systems from general network traffic and establish monitoring protocols that can detect unusual log generation patterns. The ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for network denial-of-service provides relevant context for understanding how this vulnerability could be exploited in industrial environments, emphasizing the need for robust network defense in depth strategies. Regular firmware updates from Rockwell Automation should be implemented as part of the security maintenance program, while system administrators should establish baseline operational metrics to quickly identify when the device enters an abnormal state requiring manual intervention.