CVE-2023-4699 in MELSEC-F
Summary
by MITRE • 11/06/2023
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation MELSEC-F Series main modules and MELSEC iQ-F Series CPU modules allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to reset the memory of the products to factory default state and cause denial-of-service (DoS) condition on the products by sending specific packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4699 represents a critical insufficient verification of data authenticity issue affecting Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's MELSEC-F Series main modules and MELSEC iQ-F Series CPU modules. This weakness resides in the communication protocols used by these industrial control systems, which fail to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of incoming data packets. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the system without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where operational technology systems are increasingly connected to corporate networks. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory management functions of these programmable logic controllers, enabling attackers to trigger unauthorized resets to factory default configurations.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the communication stack of these industrial controllers. When the affected modules receive specially crafted network packets, they fail to verify the source authenticity or data integrity before executing memory reset operations. This design flaw aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a common weakness in software systems where insufficient validation of input data allows malicious actors to inject harmful commands. The attack vector leverages the network communication interfaces that are typically exposed to external networks for configuration and monitoring purposes, creating an entry point for unauthorized system manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to potentially compromise industrial control processes and operational continuity. When attackers can reset memory to factory defaults, they effectively erase custom configurations, program logic, and operational settings that may have taken considerable time and resources to develop. This can lead to production halts, safety system degradation, and potential security breaches in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where these controllers are used in manufacturing, process control, and automation systems where continuous operation is essential. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the physical security perimeter, making traditional network segmentation measures insufficient for protection.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate network segmentation and access control measures. Network administrators should disable unnecessary network interfaces and implement strict firewall rules that limit access to these industrial controllers to trusted networks only. The principle of least privilege should be applied to all network communications with these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access configuration interfaces. Additionally, regular firmware updates should be deployed as soon as vendor patches become available, while maintaining detailed network monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure-by-design principles in industrial control systems and highlights the need for robust authentication mechanisms in OT environments, aligning with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Execution' phases. The affected systems require immediate attention to prevent potential cascading failures that could impact broader industrial operations and safety systems.