1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 5.3
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
- Vendor: Mitsubishi Electric
- Equipment: MELSEC iQ-R series
- Vulnerability: Resource Exhaustion
2. UPDATE INFORMATION
This updated advisory is a follow-up to the original advisory titled “ICSA-20-161-02 Mitsubishi Electric MELSEC iQ-R series” that was published June 9, 2020 to the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov.
3. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause the Ethernet port to enter a denial-of-service condition.
4. TECHNICAL DETAILS
4.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Mitsubishi Electric reports that the vulnerability affects the following MELSEC iQ-R series modules:
- R04/08/16/32/120CPU, R04/08/16/32/120ENCPU: Firmware Versions 39 or earlier
- R00/01/02CPU: Firmware Versions 7 or earlier
- R08/16/32/120SFCPU: Firmware Versions 20 or earlier
- R08/16/32/120PCPU: All versions
- R08/16/32/120PSFCPU: All versions
- RJ71EN71: All versions
4.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
4.2.1 UNCONTROLLED RESOURCE CONSUMPTION (‘RESOURCE EXHAUSTION’) CWE-400
Uncontrolled resource consumption can be caused when an attacker sends a large amount of specially crafted packets in bursts over a short period.
CVE-2020-13238 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
4.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Japan
4.4 RESEARCHER
Yossi Reuven of SCADAfence reported this vulnerability to Mitsubishi Electric.
5. MITIGATIONS
——— Begin Update A Part 1 of 1 ———
Mitsubishi Electric has fixed the following versions to discard packets when specially crafted packets are received:
- R00/01/02CPU: firmware Versions 8 or later
- R04/08/16/32/120CPU, R04/08/16/32/120ENCPU: firmware Versions 40 or later
- R08/16/32/120SFCPU: firmware Versions 21 or later
Mitsubishi Electric recommends users of the affected devices take the following measures for cyber-attacks such as DoS attack or unauthorized access from untrusted networks or hosts.
- Connection to untrusted networks or hosts: Check whether the modules mounted in the equipment used are connected to untrusted networks or hosts.
- Firewalls: If the modules are connected to untrusted networks or hosts, check whether measures such as firewalls are properly configured.
- Additional information about the vulnerability is available by contacting a Mitsubishi Electric representative.
——— End Update A Part 1 of 1 ———
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:
- Use secure methods when remote access is required, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.
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.
No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.
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