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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2021.2139
Advisory (icsa-21-166-02) Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules
16 June 2021
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules
Publisher: ICS-CERT
Operating System: Network Appliance
Impact/Access: Increased Privileges -- Remote/Unauthenticated
Access Privileged Data -- Remote/Unauthenticated
Unauthorised Access -- Remote/Unauthenticated
Resolution: Patch/Upgrade
CVE Names: CVE-2021-32986 CVE-2021-32984 CVE-2021-32982
CVE-2021-32980 CVE-2021-32978
Original Bulletin:
https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-166-02
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ICS Advisory (ICSA-21-166-02)
Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules
Original release date: June 15, 2021
Legal Notice
All information products included in https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics are provided
"as is" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information
contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service,
referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product
is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more
information about TLP, see https://us-cert.cisa.gov/tlp/ .
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
o CVSS v3 9.8
o ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
o Vendor: Automation Direct
o Equipment: CLICK PLC CPU modules
o Vulnerabilities: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel,
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, Unprotected Storage of
Credentials
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to log
in as a currently or previously authenticated user or discover passwords for
valid users.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Automation Direct reports these vulnerabilities affect the following CLICK PLC
CPU modules:
o CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs with All firmware prior to v3.00
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 AUTHENTICATION BYPASS USING AN ALTERNATE PATH OR CHANNEL CWE-288
The firmware does not protect against additional software programming
connections. An attacker can connect to the PLC while an existing connection is
already active.
CVE-2021-32980 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of
9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ( AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/
C:H/I:H/A:H ).
3.2.2 AUTHENTICATION BYPASS USING AN ALTERNATE PATH OR CHANNEL CWE-288
All programming connections receive the same unlocked privileges, which can
result in a privilege escalation. During the time the PLC is unlocked by an
authorized user, an attacker can connect to the PLC and read the project
without authorization.
CVE-2021-32984 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of
9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ( AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/
C:H/I:H/A:H ).
3.2.3 AUTHENTICATION BYPASS USING AN ALTERNATE PATH OR CHANNEL CWE-288
After the PLC is unlocked by an authorized user, the unlocked state does not
timeout. If the programming software is interrupted, the PLC remains unlocked.
All subsequent programming connections are allowed without authorization. The
PLC is only relocked by a power cycle, or when the programming software
disconnects correctly.
CVE-2021-32986 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of
9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ( AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/
C:H/I:H/A:H ).
3.2.4 CLEARTEXT TRANSMISSION OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION CWE-319
Passwords are sent as plaintext during unlocking and project transfers. An
attacker who has network visibility can observe the password exchange.
CVE-2021-32982 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of
7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ( AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/
C:H/I:N/A:N ).
3.2.5 UNPROTECTED STORAGE OF CREDENTIALS CWE-256
The programming protocol allows for a previously entered password and lock
state to be read by an attacker. If the previously entered password was
successful, the attacker can then use the password to unlock the PLC.
CVE-2021-32978 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of
7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ( AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/
C:H/I:N/A:N ).
3.3 BACKGROUND
o CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Commercial Facilities, Critical
Manufacturing, Information Technology
o COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
o COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Irfan Ahmed and Adeen Ayub of Virginia Commonwealth University and Hyunguk Yoo
of the University of New Orleans reported these vulnerabilities to Automation
Direct.
4. MITIGATIONS
Automation Direct reports these vulnerabilities are all mitigated by Version
3.00 and recommends users update software and firmware to the latest version.
Automation Direct also recommends users follow its security guidelines .
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of
exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should:
o Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems,
and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet .
o Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and
isolate them from the business network.
o When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private
Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be
updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only
as secure as its 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.cisa.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.cisa.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 these vulnerabilities.
For any questions related to this report, please contact the CISA at:
Email: CISAservicedesk@cisa.dhs.gov
Toll Free: 1-888-282-0870
CISA continuously strives to improve its products and services. You can help by
choosing one of the links below to provide feedback about this product.
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