CVE-2024-23784 in Energy Management Controller with Cloud Services
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
Improper access control vulnerability exists in Energy Management Controller with Cloud Services JH-RVB1 /JH-RV11 Ver.B0.1.9.1 and earlier, which may allow a network-adjacent unauthenticated attacker to obtain a username and its hashed password displayed on the management page of the affected product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23784 represents a critical access control flaw in Energy Management Controller devices, specifically the JH-RVB1 and JH-RV11 models running firmware version B0.1.9.1 or earlier. This weakness stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate user credentials before granting access to sensitive administrative interfaces. The affected devices are designed for energy management and cloud connectivity purposes, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise industrial control systems. The vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of these controllers, which are typically deployed in industrial environments where security is paramount.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows an attacker positioned within the same network segment to access the device management page without requiring authentication credentials. This improper access control condition manifests as a failure to enforce proper authorization checks, enabling unauthorized users to view sensitive information including usernames and their corresponding password hashes directly displayed on the web interface. The vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks where an attacker has physical or logical access to the same local network segment as the affected device, exploiting the lack of proper session management and authentication enforcement. This weakness directly maps to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software applications, and represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with the foundation for further exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the username and password hash, they can potentially leverage this information for credential reuse attacks, especially if the same credentials are used across multiple systems. The exposure of password hashes also enables offline cracking attempts, where adversaries can use specialized tools to reverse-engineer the original passwords through dictionary attacks or rainbow table lookups. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial environments where these controllers are deployed, potentially compromising critical infrastructure operations and creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks such as lateral movement within the network or direct control of energy management systems. The risk is amplified by the fact that these devices are often deployed in environments where network segmentation may be inadequate, allowing attackers to move freely between different system components.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation measures to isolate these devices from general network traffic and restrict access to only authorized personnel. The most effective mitigation involves upgrading to firmware versions that address the access control vulnerability, ensuring proper authentication mechanisms are enforced, and implementing strong password policies that include complex credential requirements. Network-based controls such as firewalls and access control lists should be configured to limit access to the management interfaces to only trusted IP addresses and network segments. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper access control implementation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control systems and networked devices within the organization's infrastructure.