CVE-2019-9201 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Remote attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in various Phoenix Contact devices to establish TCP sessions on port 1962, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information and data manipulation.

Understanding CVE-2019-9201

This CVE involves multiple Phoenix Contact devices that are susceptible to remote attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data manipulation.

What is CVE-2019-9201?

CVE-2019-9201 allows attackers to create TCP sessions on port 1962 in Phoenix Contact devices, enabling them to retrieve sensitive data or modify information. An attack scenario includes leveraging the Create Backup feature to navigate through directories.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9201

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The impact includes high confidentiality and integrity risks, with attackers requiring no privileges to exploit the vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9201

Phoenix Contact devices are affected by this vulnerability, potentially exposing them to unauthorized access and data manipulation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to establish TCP sessions on port 1962, leading to unauthorized access and potential data manipulation, such as retrieving sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-9201, immediate steps and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity on port 1962.
Implement firewall rules to restrict access to vulnerable devices.
Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
Educate users on best practices for device security.
Keep systems and devices up to date with the latest security patches.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Consider implementing intrusion detection systems to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Phoenix Contact.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates from Phoenix Contact.
Apply patches and firmware updates provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.