CVE-2023-4486 in Metasys NAE55
Summary
by MITRE • 12/07/2023
Under certain circumstances, invalid authentication credentials could be sent to the login endpoint of Johnson Controls Metasys NAE55, SNE, and SNC engines prior to version 12.0.4 and Facility Explorer F4-SNC engines prior to versions 11.0.6 and 12.0.4 to cause denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4486 affects Johnson Controls Metasys NAE55 SNE and SNC engines prior to version 12.0.4 and Facility Explorer F4-SNC engines prior to versions 11.0.6 and 12.0.4 respectively. This issue represents a denial-of-service condition that can be triggered through improper handling of authentication credentials at the login endpoint. The flaw occurs when invalid authentication attempts are processed without proper validation mechanisms, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the authentication subsystem of these industrial control systems. Such systems are commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments including facilities management, building automation, and industrial control networks where continuous operation is essential for safety and operational continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the authentication endpoint's failure to properly validate or sanitize incoming credentials before processing them. When invalid authentication attempts are submitted, the system does not adequately handle these malformed inputs, potentially leading to resource exhaustion or system instability. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software systems. The vulnerability can be exploited by sending malformed or invalid credentials to the login endpoint, causing the system to enter an unstable state or consume excessive resources. The lack of proper authentication flow management means that the system may not properly reject invalid requests or may process them in a way that consumes computational resources unnecessarily. This type of flaw falls under the broader category of improper error handling and resource management issues that are particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where system reliability is paramount.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4486 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of critical facility management systems. In industrial environments, these systems often control essential building functions including HVAC, lighting, security, and other operational components that require continuous availability. A successful denial-of-service attack could render the facility management interface inaccessible, preventing authorized personnel from accessing critical building controls or monitoring systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects systems used in both industrial automation and building management contexts, where downtime can result in significant operational disruptions. The potential for cascading failures exists if the denial-of-service condition affects other interconnected systems that depend on the compromised authentication infrastructure. Organizations using these systems may experience extended periods of reduced operational capability while administrators work to restore service, potentially affecting safety protocols and facility operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4486 should focus on implementing proper authentication flow validation and resource management controls. Organizations should immediately update their affected systems to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 12.0.4 for NAE55 SNE and SNC engines and versions 11.0.6 and 12.0.4 for Facility Explorer F4-SNC engines. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing rate limiting on authentication attempts, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and establishing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect abnormal authentication behavior, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential denial-of-service scenarios affecting industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to monitor for authentication-related anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing facility management workflows or control system integrations.