CVE-2019-14931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw in Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU and INEA ME-RTU devices allows unauthorized remote OS Command Injection, enabling attackers to run arbitrary commands on the RTU.

Understanding CVE-2019-14931

What is CVE-2019-14931?

An unauthenticated remote OS Command Injection vulnerability in ME-RTU devices allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands by exploiting unsafe user-supplied data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14931

This vulnerability permits attackers to manipulate the RTU's system shell, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the device.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14931

Vulnerability Description

The flaw exists in Mitsubishi Electric ME-RTU devices up to version 2.02 and INEA ME-RTU devices up to version 3.0.
Attackers can exploit the flaw by using a shell command separator in the host variable during the submission of test data.

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

Attackers can leverage the "mobile.php" function to perform a ping test on sites or IP addresses through Mobile Connection Test.
By inserting a shell command separator in the host variable, attackers can execute operating system commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable remote access to vulnerable devices if not required.
Implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices.
Regularly monitor and analyze network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
Keep devices up to date with the latest firmware and security patches.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Mitsubishi Electric and INEA to address the vulnerability.