CVE-2024-22084 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. Cleartext passwords and hashes are exposed through log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22084 affects Elspec G5 digital fault recorder devices running firmware versions 1.1.4.15 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper logging practices. This issue represents a significant weakness in the device's security architecture, as it directly compromises the confidentiality of authentication information that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The exposure occurs through log files that contain cleartext passwords and cryptographic hashes, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the affected system.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and logging mechanisms within the G5 digital fault recorder software implementation. When the system generates log entries for various operational events, it fails to properly mask or remove authentication credentials from the logging process, resulting in cleartext passwords and password hashes being persistently stored in log files accessible to unauthorized users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-546, which addresses the presence of sensitive information in log files, and specifically demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental security principles. The flaw operates at the application level, affecting the device's internal logging subsystem rather than requiring network-based exploitation or external attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the entire digital fault recorder infrastructure. An attacker who gains access to the log files can immediately obtain valid authentication credentials that may grant access to critical system functions, potentially enabling them to manipulate fault recording data, modify system configurations, or even disrupt the operation of the electrical grid monitoring system. The exposure of password hashes also provides attackers with the capability to perform offline password cracking attacks using rainbow table techniques or brute force methods, significantly reducing the time required to compromise additional accounts. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems where the G5 devices are deployed for monitoring and recording electrical fault conditions, making it a serious concern for critical infrastructure security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22084 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by Elspec to address the logging implementation flaw. Organizations must also implement comprehensive log file access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access system logs and that log files are stored in secure, encrypted locations with appropriate access permissions. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts to log files, while regular log audits should be conducted to identify and remove any existing credential exposures. The implementation of proper input validation and credential sanitization within logging processes should be enforced across all system components, following the principle of least privilege and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing centralized logging solutions with proper credential handling mechanisms and establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components.