CVE-2023-43775 in SMP SG-4260
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
Denial-of-service vulnerability in the web server of the Eaton SMP SG-4260 allows
attacker to potentially force an unexpected restart of the SMP Gateway automation platform, impacting the availability of the product. In rare situations, the issue could cause the SMP device to restart in Safe Mode or Max Safe Mode. When in Max Safe Mode, the product is not vulnerable anymore.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The CVE-2023-43775 vulnerability represents a critical denial-of-service weakness within the Eaton SMP SG-4260 web server implementation that fundamentally compromises system availability and operational continuity. This vulnerability specifically targets the SMP Gateway automation platform, where an attacker can exploit a flaw in the web server component to potentially force an unexpected restart of the entire system. The affected device operates within industrial control environments where reliability and uptime are paramount for maintaining operational safety and business continuity. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can potentially trigger a restart into Safe Mode or even Max Safe Mode, which represents a significant escalation in system behavior that fundamentally alters the device's operational state and security posture. The web server component in question serves as the primary interface for remote management and configuration of the SMP Gateway, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of specific web server requests that can trigger an unexpected system restart sequence. This typically occurs when malformed or specially crafted HTTP requests are sent to the vulnerable web server component, causing it to process these inputs in a manner that leads to system instability and forced reboot. The vulnerability's exploitation mechanism likely involves buffer overflows, improper input validation, or memory corruption issues within the web server implementation that are triggered by specific request patterns. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which covers "Improper Access to Resources via Buffer Overflow" and potentially CWE-121 which addresses "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" or similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system restart conditions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the web server interface is typically accessible over network connections, making it vulnerable to remote exploitation without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system unavailability during critical operational periods. In industrial automation environments, where the SMP SG-4260 serves as a gateway for managing critical infrastructure, an unexpected restart can result in loss of monitoring capabilities, disruption of automated processes, and potential safety hazards. The transition to Safe Mode or Max Safe Mode represents a particularly concerning scenario as it fundamentally limits the device's functionality and security features, potentially leaving the system in a reduced operational state that may not be immediately apparent to operators. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where continuous operation is required for safety systems, emergency response protocols, or critical manufacturing processes, where even brief outages can result in significant financial losses or operational safety risks. The rare occurrence of Safe Mode or Max Safe Mode activation suggests that the vulnerability may be triggered by specific conditions or request patterns that could be exploited systematically.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-43775 should prioritize immediate patch management and network segmentation to limit potential exploitation vectors. Organizations should implement network access controls to restrict access to the web server interface to only authorized personnel and systems, while also ensuring that all devices are updated with the latest firmware releases from Eaton that address this specific vulnerability. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and network monitoring can help identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the web server interface. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and potentially T1499 "Endpoint Denial of Service" as it represents a service disruption attack that can be executed remotely against a public-facing application. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant systems or failover mechanisms to maintain operational continuity in case of exploitation, while conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any similar weaknesses in related industrial control systems. The vulnerability's potential to force system restarts into reduced functionality modes emphasizes the need for comprehensive incident response procedures that can quickly identify and address such scenarios while ensuring minimal impact to operational safety and business continuity requirements.