1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 8.3
  • ATTENTION: Low skill level to exploit
  • Vendor: Mitsubishi Electric
  • Equipment: Mitsubishi Electric, Factory Automation Engineering products
  • Vulnerability: Unquoted Search Path or Element

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow an attacker to obtain unauthorized information, modify information, and cause a denial-of-service condition.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following products and versions are affected:

  • C Controller Interface Module Utility, all versions
  • C Controller Module Setting and Monitoring Tool, all versions
  • CC-Link IE Control Network Data Collector, all versions
  • CC-Link IE Field Network Data Collector, all versions
  • CPU Module Logging Configuration Tool, Versions 1.100E and prior
  • CW Configurator, Versions 1.010L and prior
  • Data Transfer, all versions
  • EZSocket, all versions
  • FR Configurator SW3, all versions
  • FR Configurator2, all versions
  • GT Designer2 Classic, all versions
  • GT Designer3 Version1 (GOT1000), all versions
  • GT Designer3 Version1 (GOT2000), all versions
  • GT SoftGOT1000 Version3, all versions
  • GT SoftGOT2000 Version1, all versions
  • GX Developer, Versions 8.504A and prior
  • GX LogViewer, Versions 1.100E and prior
  • GX Works2, all versions
  • GX Works3, Versions 1.063R and prior
  • M_CommDTM-IO-Link, all versions
  • MELFA-Works, all versions
  • MELSEC WinCPU Setting Utility, all versions
  • MELSOFT Complete Clean Up Tool, all versions
  • MELSOFT EM Software Development Kit, all versions
  • MELSOFT iQ AppPortal, all versions
  • MELSOFT Navigator, all versions
  • MI Configurator, all versions
  • Motion Control Setting, Versions 1.005F and prior
  • Motorizer, Versions 1.005F and prior
  • MR Configurator2, all versions
  • MT Works2, all versions
  • MTConnect Data Collector, all versions
  • MX Component, all versions
  • MX MESInterface, all versions
  • MX MESInterface-R, all versions
  • MX Sheet, all versions
  • Network Interface Board CC IE Control Utility, all versions
  • Network Interface Board CC IE Field Utility, all versions
  • Network Interface Board CC-Link Ver.2 Utility, all versions
  • Network Interface Board MNETH Utility, all versions
  • Position Board utility 2, all versions
  • PX Developer, all versions
  • RT ToolBox2, all versions
  • RT ToolBox3, all versions
  • Setting/monitoring tools for the C Controller module, all versions
  • SLMP Data Collector, all versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    UNQUOTED SEARCH PATH OR ELEMENT CWE-428

Multiple Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation engineering software products have a malicious code execution vulnerability. A malicious attacker could use this vulnerability to obtain information, modify information, and cause a denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2020-14521 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Japan 

3.4 RESEARCHER

Mashav Sapir of Claroty reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Mitsubishi Electric recommends the following mitigations:

Download the latest version of each software product and update it. The fixed software products and versions are as follows:

  • CPU Module Logging Configuration Tool, Version 1.106K or later
  • CW Configurator, Version 1.011M or later
  • GX Developer, Version 8.505B or later
  • GX LogViewer, Version 1.106K or later
  • GX Works3, Version 1.065T or later
  • Motion Control Setting, Version 1.006G or later
  • Motorizer, Version 1.010L or later

Refer to the manual for help to update your product.

For users of a product that has not released a fixed version or who cannot immediately update the product, Mitsubishi Electric recommends taking the following mitigation measures to minimize risk:

  • If a “File Name Warning” message is displayed when starting Windows, take appropriate measures according to the instructions in the message (such as changing a file name) and then install or operate the products.
  • Operate the products under an account that does not have administrator privileges.
  • Install an antivirus software in computers using the products.
  • Restrict network exposure for all control system devices or systems to the minimum necessary and ensure they are not accessible from untrusted networks and hosts.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from the network.
  • Use virtual private network (VPN) when remote access is required.

Additional information about the vulnerabilities or Mitsubishi Electric’s compensating control is available by contacting a Mitsubishi Electric representative. 

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks: 

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.

Source:

https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-212-04