MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5U-32MT/ES: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
CVE-2023-0457 is a high-severity insufficiently protected credentials vulnerability in MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5U-32MT/ES from Mitsubishi Electric, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5U-32MT/ES versions: all versions. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 68% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5U-32MT/ES you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on mitsubishielectric.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (yd.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Plaintext Storage of a Password vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation MELSEC iQ-F Series, MELSEC iQ-R Series, MELSEC-Q Series and MELSEC-L Series allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to disclose plaintext credentials stored in project files and login into FTP server or Web server.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
More Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-522)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-23-061-01Mitigation, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
Third-party and government advisories
- jvn.jp/vu/JVNVU93891523/index.htmlThird Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in MELSEC iQ-F Series FX5U-32MT/ES
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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