CVE-2023-5846 in TS-550
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2023
Franklin Fueling System TS-550 versions prior to 1.9.23.8960 are vulnerable to attackers decoding admin credentials, resulting in unauthenticated access to the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5846 affects Franklin Fueling System TS-550 devices running firmware versions prior to 1.9.23.8960, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative access controls. This issue stems from insufficient cryptographic protection mechanisms within the device's authentication framework, allowing malicious actors to reverse-engineer or decode administrative credentials through systematic analysis of the device's communication protocols and stored data structures. The vulnerability specifically targets the credential storage and transmission mechanisms employed by the fueling system, which are designed to manage access to critical operational functions and configuration parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves weak encryption algorithms or predictable cryptographic patterns that enable attackers to perform credential recovery attacks without requiring legitimate authentication. This flaw allows adversaries to gain unauthorized administrative access to the device, potentially enabling them to manipulate fueling operations, modify system configurations, or extract sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that fueling systems operate in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or security breaches. The device's inability to properly protect administrative credentials creates a persistent backdoor that remains exploitable until the firmware is updated to a secure version.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations managing fueling infrastructure, as it enables attackers to assume full administrative control over the device without requiring prior authentication. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as attackers could potentially modify fueling parameters, disable safety mechanisms, or redirect fuel flow operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security architecture. The attack vector typically involves passive monitoring of network communications or active exploitation of the device's credential handling functions to recover administrative passwords or session tokens.
The security implications of CVE-2023-5846 extend to potential compliance violations and regulatory concerns within critical infrastructure sectors, particularly those governed by standards such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems. Organizations utilizing affected devices must implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates to version 1.9.23.8960 or later, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of administrative access patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing robust cryptographic practices in embedded systems and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments for industrial control equipment. Organizations should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns and ensure that administrative access controls are properly enforced through strong encryption and secure credential management practices. The vulnerability also underscores the need for manufacturers to implement proper security-by-design principles and conduct thorough security testing before releasing firmware updates to production environments.