CVE-2024-22078 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. Privilege escalation can occur via world writable files. The network configuration script has weak filesystem permissions. This results in write access for all authenticated users and the possibility to escalate from user privileges to administrative privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22078 affects Elspec G5 digital fault recorder devices running versions 1.1.4.15 and earlier, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk through improperly configured filesystem permissions. This issue stems from the network configuration script being stored with world-writable permissions, creating an exploitable condition that allows any authenticated user to modify critical system components. The flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hygiene in the device's filesystem management. According to CWE-732, this vulnerability falls under improper permission assignment, where inadequate access controls permit unauthorized modifications to system-critical files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the network configuration script, which operates with elevated privileges during execution. When a user with authenticated access modifies this world-writable file, they can inject malicious code or alter network parameters that ultimately grant them administrative control over the device. This privilege escalation pathway bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and allows attackers to gain root-level access to the system. The operational impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the compromised device can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through file permissions manipulation, specifically under technique T1068 where adversaries leverage weak file permissions to elevate their access level.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in industrial control systems environments where Elspec G5 devices are commonly deployed for monitoring and recording electrical fault data. An attacker who gains access to a single compromised device can potentially disrupt critical infrastructure operations, manipulate safety systems, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The fact that all authenticated users can exploit this vulnerability means that even legitimate users with minimal access rights could inadvertently or maliciously compromise system integrity. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for lateral movement attacks within industrial networks, where such devices often serve as critical monitoring points. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and proper permission management in embedded systems, particularly those handling sensitive operational data. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including proper permission configuration and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vector.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure configuration management in industrial environments where devices may be deployed with minimal security oversight. The weak filesystem permissions represent a fundamental security failure that could have been prevented through basic security practices such as implementing proper access controls and conducting security reviews during device deployment. The affected version range suggests this issue has existed for some time, indicating a lack of proactive security maintenance or security updates from the vendor. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their operational technology environments.