CVE-2024-22077 in G5 Digital Fault Recorder
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
An issue was discovered in Elspec G5 digital fault recorder versions 1.1.4.15 and before. The SQLite database file has weak permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22077 affects Elspec G5 digital fault recorder devices running firmware versions 1.1.4.15 and earlier. This issue represents a critical security weakness in the system's database access controls that could potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of recorded fault data. The affected device is designed for electrical power system monitoring and fault analysis, making it a critical component in industrial control systems where data integrity is paramount. The vulnerability specifically targets the SQLite database implementation within the device's file system, which stores crucial operational and fault information collected from electrical networks. This weakness creates a significant exposure point that adversaries could exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
The technical flaw stems from improper file permission settings on the SQLite database file used by the Elspec G5 device. Insecure default configurations allow the database file to be accessible with elevated privileges or without proper authentication mechanisms. This weak permission structure violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface where unauthorized users or processes could potentially read, modify, or delete the stored fault records. The vulnerability manifests as insufficient access control enforcement at the file system level, where the database file does not implement proper discretionary access controls or mandatory access controls to restrict unauthorized access attempts. This issue directly maps to CWE-732, which describes inadequate permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic case of improper access control in embedded systems. The weakness exists at the application level within the device's file management system where database access controls are not properly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access concerns and could significantly compromise the reliability and security of power system monitoring operations. Adversaries who exploit this weakness could potentially manipulate historical fault data, creating false records that might lead to incorrect operational decisions or maintenance actions. The compromised database could also serve as a vector for more sophisticated attacks where attackers use the stored information to plan targeted attacks against the broader power grid infrastructure. In industrial control environments, such vulnerabilities can lead to cascading failures where corrupted data affects system behavior and operational safety. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain data integrity and confidentiality, potentially violating compliance requirements for industrial control systems and cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443. This weakness could also enable attackers to gather intelligence about the power system's operational patterns, which could be used in more advanced attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22077 should focus on immediate permission adjustments and long-term system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately update the affected Elspec G5 devices to firmware versions that address the permission weakness, ensuring that the SQLite database file implements proper access controls with restricted read and write permissions. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of all database files and implement mandatory access control policies to prevent unauthorized access attempts. The recommended approach includes setting appropriate file permissions that restrict database access to authorized system processes only, implementing regular security assessments, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK matrix categorize this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques and credential access phases, emphasizing the importance of proper access control implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit access to these critical devices and ensure that database files are protected through encryption at rest. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates should be part of the operational security posture to prevent similar issues from arising in other system components.