CVE-2023-2846 in MELSEC-F
Summary
by MITRE • 06/30/2023
Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation MELSEC iQ-F Series main modules allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to cancel the password/keyword setting and login to the affected products by sending specially crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2846 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's MELSEC iQ-F Series main modules, which are widely deployed in industrial control systems and automation environments. This vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism of these industrial devices, specifically allowing remote attackers to circumvent the established security controls without requiring valid credentials. The flaw manifests through a capture-replay attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate the authentication flow by sending carefully constructed network packets that exploit weaknesses in the password validation process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects industrial control equipment that often operates in critical infrastructure environments where security is paramount.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of authentication tokens and session management within the MELSEC iQ-F Series modules. When legitimate authentication attempts are made, the system should validate credentials and maintain secure session states, but in this case, the system allows attackers to replay captured authentication sequences or manipulate the authentication flow to effectively cancel existing password protections. This creates a scenario where an unauthenticated attacker can gain administrative access to the device simply by crafting and transmitting specific network packets that exploit the underlying protocol implementation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2846 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as these industrial control modules are fundamental to operational technology infrastructure in manufacturing plants, process control systems, and critical infrastructure facilities. Once an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they can potentially modify operational parameters, disrupt production processes, alter control sequences, or even cause physical damage to equipment through malicious configuration changes. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the devices, significantly expanding the attack surface and making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where industrial networks may have limited security monitoring. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to systems without legitimate credentials, potentially leading to further lateral movement within network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the specific authentication bypass mechanism. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the exposure of these industrial control devices to untrusted networks, while also deploying network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous authentication patterns and packet sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing strong network access controls, disabling unnecessary network services, and conducting thorough network audits to identify all affected devices within the industrial control system environment. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for the signature patterns associated with this vulnerability, as the capture-replay attack vector may leave detectable traces in network traffic that can be used to identify and respond to exploitation attempts.