CVE-2019-14926 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU devices, allowing unauthorized access due to hard-coded SSH keys.

Understanding CVE-2019-14926

What is CVE-2019-14926?

The vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU devices arises from the use of hard-coded SSH keys, potentially leading to unauthorized access or exposure of encrypted data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14926

The presence of hard-coded SSH keys in these devices can result in unauthorized access to the RTU and the potential exposure of sensitive data due to the keys not being regenerated during installation or firmware updates.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14926

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access or disclose encrypted data on the RTU by exploiting hard-coded SSH keys that are publicly accessible on vendor websites.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU devices up to version 2.02
INEA ME-RTU devices up to version 3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The devices utilize private-key values stored in files such as /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key, /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key, and /etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key, which are publicly accessible on the vendor websites.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable SSH access if not required
Monitor network traffic for any unauthorized access attempts
Regularly check for firmware updates and apply patches promptly

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies
Conduct regular security audits and assessments
Educate users on secure practices and the importance of updating firmware

Patching and Updates

Update to the latest firmware version provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability