CVE-2024-22082 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. Unauthenticated directory listing can occur: the web interface cay be abused be an attacker get a better understanding of the operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22082 affects Elspec G5 digital fault recorder devices running firmware versions 1.1.4.15 and earlier. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the device's web interface to unauthorized access and reconnaissance activities. The issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the device's web server implementation, allowing any remote attacker to access directory structures without proper credentials. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication and access control issues, specifically aligning with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication scenarios. The affected device operates as a specialized industrial monitoring system designed to record and analyze electrical fault data in power systems, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to understand the operational environment.
Directory listing vulnerabilities provide attackers with comprehensive information about the device's file system structure, installed applications, and potentially sensitive data locations. In the context of industrial control systems like the Elspec G5, this reconnaissance capability can be particularly dangerous as it enables adversaries to map the device's internal architecture and identify potential attack vectors. The unauthenticated access allows threat actors to enumerate directories, discover configuration files, and potentially locate sensitive information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This type of vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal or directory listing issue under ATT&CK framework's T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, which is commonly used in the initial reconnaissance phase of cyber attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the industrial control system. Attackers can leverage this information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the device and potentially the broader network infrastructure it connects to. The exposure of directory structures may reveal backup files, temporary files, or configuration data that could contain credentials, system information, or other sensitive details. In industrial environments, such vulnerabilities can lead to cascading security issues where an attacker gains enough information to compromise the entire power system monitoring infrastructure, potentially affecting critical operations and safety systems. This vulnerability particularly concerns industrial cybersecurity practitioners as it represents a fundamental flaw in the device's security design that could be exploited to gain deeper access to critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22082 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Elspec to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply strict firewall rules to limit access to the web interface. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual directory access patterns and unauthorized enumeration attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regularly reviewing access controls can help reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management in industrial environments and underscores the need for manufacturers to implement proper authentication mechanisms in their products. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that restrict web interface access to authorized personnel only, and establish procedures for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.