CVE-2023-46142 in AXC F 1152
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
A incorrect permission assignment for critical resource vulnerability in PLCnext products allows an remote attacker with low privileges to gain full access on the affected devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46142 represents a critical permission assignment flaw within PLCnext products that fundamentally undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. This issue affects devices running the PLCnext runtime environment, which are widely deployed in manufacturing and industrial automation settings where operational technology security is paramount. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms that fail to correctly enforce authorization boundaries for critical system resources, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that could compromise entire industrial networks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect implementation of permission checks for essential system components within the PLCnext platform. Specifically, the flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate user privileges before granting access to critical resources such as configuration files, system parameters, or administrative functions. This misconfiguration allows attackers to escalate their privileges from low-level user accounts to full administrative access without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where access controls should be most stringent, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain comprehensive control over industrial processes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to industrial control system security and can lead to catastrophic consequences for affected organizations. Remote attackers with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to gain complete administrative access to PLCnext devices, potentially enabling them to modify critical process parameters, disrupt production operations, or even cause physical damage to industrial equipment. The implications extend beyond individual device compromise as attackers could use this access to move laterally within industrial networks, potentially affecting multiple interconnected systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the affected devices, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security perimeters may be less strictly enforced.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of legitimate credentials to gain access to systems. Organizations using PLCnext products should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches and firmware updates. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or privilege escalation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their industrial control system environments to identify similar permission assignment flaws that could present comparable risks. The incident underscores the critical importance of robust access control implementations in operational technology environments where system integrity and safety are paramount considerations.
This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the evolving threat landscape in industrial cybersecurity, where traditional network security measures may prove insufficient against sophisticated attacks targeting operational technology infrastructure. The flaw's potential for remote exploitation without requiring advanced technical skills makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise industrial operations. Organizations must implement comprehensive security frameworks that address both traditional IT security concerns and the unique challenges posed by operational technology environments, ensuring that access control mechanisms are properly configured and regularly validated to prevent similar incidents from occurring.