B&R VC4: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-1617 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in B&R VC4 from B&R Industrial Automation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected B&R VC4 versions: 3.* through 3.96.7; 4.0* through 4.06.7; 4.1* through 4.16.3, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Vc4 to 3.96.8 or 4.34.7 or 4.73.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on br-automation.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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&R Industrial Automation | B&R VC4 | 3.* through 3.96.7; 4.0* through 4.06.7; 4.1* through 4.16.3; 4.2* through 4.26.8; 4.3* through 4.34.6; 4.4* through 4.45.1; 4.5* through 4.45.3; 4.7* through 4.72.9 | Not stated |
| Br-automation | Vc4 | before 3.96.8; 4.0.0 through 4.06.4; 4.10.0 through 4.16.3; 4.20.0 through 4.26.8; 4.30.0 up to, but not including, 4.34.7; 4.40.0 through 4.45.1; 4.50.0 through 4.53.0; 4.70.0 up to, but not including, 4.73.0 | 3.96.8, 4.34.7, 4.73.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (ch.abb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Improper Authentication vulnerability in B&R Industrial Automation B&R VC4 (VNC-Server modules). This vulnerability may allow an unauthenticated network-based attacker to bypass the authentication mechanism of the VC4 visualization on affected devices. The impact of this vulnerability depends on the functionality provided in the visualization. This issue affects B&R VC4: from 3.* through 3.96.7, from 4.0* through 4.06.7, from 4.1* through 4.16.3, from 4.2* through 4.26.8, from 4.3* through 4.34.6, from 4.4* through 4.45.1, from 4.5* through 4.45.3, from 4.7* through 4.72.9.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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