CVE-2024-22083 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. A hardcoded backdoor session ID exists that can be used for further access to the device, including reconfiguration tasks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22083 represents a critical security flaw in Elspec G5 digital fault recorder devices running firmware versions 1.1.4.15 and earlier. This issue stems from the implementation of a hardcoded backdoor session ID within the device's authentication mechanism, creating a persistent entry point that bypasses normal security controls. The presence of such a backdoor fundamentally undermines the device's security posture by providing unauthorized access to administrative functions without proper authentication. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems environments where these devices are commonly deployed for monitoring and recording electrical fault data in power systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a hardcoded session identifier that remains constant across device instances and firmware versions, allowing attackers to establish sessions with elevated privileges simply by knowing or guessing this predetermined value. This backdoor session ID enables unauthorized users to perform administrative tasks including device reconfiguration, data manipulation, and access to sensitive operational parameters. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak session management and hardcoded credentials, which are classified as CWE-259 and CWE-798 respectively, both of which represent significant security weaknesses in authentication and session handling mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer of the device's security architecture, specifically affecting the web-based management interface that typically requires proper authentication for administrative access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential compromise of critical power system monitoring infrastructure. Attackers could manipulate fault recording data, alter device configurations to disrupt monitoring capabilities, or even cause false alarms that might lead to unnecessary operational responses. In industrial environments where these devices are used for grid monitoring and protection, such unauthorized access could result in operational disruptions, safety risks, or even contribute to larger grid stability issues. The vulnerability's persistence across firmware versions suggests that organizations may have been unknowingly operating with compromised security for extended periods, creating potential for long-term exposure to malicious actors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Elspec to address the hardcoded backdoor session ID issue, followed by network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical operational networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or session establishment attempts using the known backdoor identifier. The implementation of network access controls and firewall rules should restrict access to these devices to only authorized administrative workstations. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure that proper access controls are implemented. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials, and represents a significant risk in the context of industrial control systems security where persistent backdoors can remain undetected for extended periods.