CVE-2022-30276 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Motorola MOSCAD and ACE line of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). This vulnerability allows communication through the IPGW protocol, which lacks authentication, exposing the system to unauthorized access. With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to organizations utilizing these products.
The vulnerability was published on July 26, 2022, and affects the Motorola MOSCAD and ACE IP Gateway firmware prior to May 2, 2022. Attackers may leverage this weakness to invoke various functionalities without authentication, leading to potential unauthorized actions within the network.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The absence of an authentication requirement in the IPGW protocol significantly increases the attack surface, allowing unauthorized users to exploit the system.
The urgency for defenders is high given the potential for exploitation. Organizations utilizing affected Motorola products should assess their systems for this vulnerability and implement necessary updates or security measures.
Vulnerability Details
The Motorola MOSCAD and ACE line of RTUs through May 2, 2022, omit an authentication requirement. They feature IP Gateway modules that allow for interfacing between Motorola Data Link Communication (MDLC) networks and TCP/IP networks. Communication with RTUs behind the gateway is done using the proprietary IPGW protocol (5001/TCP), which does not have any authentication features.
The vulnerability is classified as CVE-2022-30276, with a CVSS score of 7.5 indicating high severity due to the potential integrity impact. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, with no privileges required for exploitation.
This vulnerability is associated with CWE-306, where access control is not properly enforced. The affected products include the MOSCAD IP Gateway firmware and the ACE IP Gateway (4600) firmware.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the lack of authentication in the IPGW protocol. Attackers can communicate with the RTUs without any authentication checks, allowing them to exploit the functionalities offered by the devices.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely, with low complexity and no required privileges. User interaction is not necessary, making it easier for attackers to exploit this vulnerability.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability has no confidentiality impact, high integrity impact, and no availability impact. This means that while sensitive data may not be directly compromised, the integrity of the system can be severely affected by unauthorized actions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of RTU functionalities, which can lead to operational disruptions and data integrity issues. Given the high CVSS score of 7.5, organizations should treat this vulnerability as a high priority.
The blast radius of this vulnerability can extend across the network, impacting not only the RTUs but also other connected devices and systems. Organizations utilizing Motorola's products must remain vigilant to prevent potential exploitation.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, given the potential for widespread exploitation. The urgency is further underscored by the fact that this vulnerability is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include the Motorola MOSCAD IP Gateway firmware and the Motorola ACE IP Gateway (4600) firmware. Organizations should assume that all versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must patch their systems to the latest firmware versions provided by Motorola to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the IPGW protocol port (5001/TCP).
Configuration hardening measures should also be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to critical infrastructure. Continuous monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts is recommended.
Penetration testing can also be beneficial in identifying potential vulnerabilities that may exist after applying patches.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual access patterns on port 5001/TCP can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should look for behavioral anomalies in network traffic that may indicate unauthorized interactions with the RTUs.
Network signatures that identify communications using the IPGW protocol can also be beneficial in detecting unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-30276 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with inadequate authentication mechanisms in network protocols. Security teams must recognize the patterns of vulnerabilities that emerge from poor design choices.
The absence of authentication in the IPGW protocol serves as a reminder that security should be integrated into the development lifecycle from the outset. Organizations should prioritize secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, continuous security testing, including continuous penetration testing, can help organizations proactively identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
In conclusion, the lessons learned from CVE-2022-30276 emphasize the need for robust security practices and awareness within organizations to defend against potential threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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