1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 5.3
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
- Vendor: Mitsubishi Electric
- Equipment: MELSEC
- Vulnerability: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may render the device unresponsive.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following versions of MELSEC programmable controllers with MELSOFT transmission port (UDP/IP) are affected:
- MELSEC, iQ-R, iQ-F, Q, L, and F series, all versions
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 UNCONTROLLED RESOURCE CONSUMPTION CWE-400
An attacker can send large amounts of data to the MELSOFT transmission port of the affected MELSEC product to cause a disruption in communication.
CVE-2020-5527 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).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Japan
3.4 RESEARCHER
Rongkuan Ma, Jie Meng, and Peng Cheng reported this vulnerability to Mitsubishi Electric.
4. MITIGATIONS
In the user manual for this device, Mitsubishi Electric recommends implementing one or both of the following:
- Install a firewall.
- Use the IP filter function to restrict the connectable IP addresses.
Additional information about the vulnerability is available by contacting a Mitsubishi Electric representative.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:
- Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
- Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
- When remote access is required, use secure methods, 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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