CVE-2020-16850 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-16850 affecting Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series PLCs with firmware 49. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this critical vulnerability.
Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series PLCs with firmware 49 are vulnerable to a denial of service attack that can be triggered by an unauthenticated attacker. This CVE exposes Improper Input Validation, leading to a halt in the industrial process and requiring physical access to restore production.
Understanding CVE-2020-16850
This CVE pertains to a critical vulnerability in Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series PLCs with firmware version 49.
What is CVE-2020-16850?
The vulnerability allows an attacker to disrupt the industrial process by sending a specially crafted packet over the network, resulting in a denial of service condition. Physical access is then necessary to resume operations, causing a loss of device state.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16850
The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe disruptions in industrial operations, requiring manual intervention for recovery.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16850
This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series PLCs with firmware 49 enables an unauthenticated attacker to halt the industrial process through a crafted network packet, exposing Improper Input Validation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series PLCs with firmware version 49
Exploitation Mechanism
- An unauthenticated attacker sends a specially crafted packet over the network to trigger the denial of service attack.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16850 is crucial to maintaining operational integrity.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to critical devices.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
- Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
- Educate personnel on cybersecurity best practices.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories from Mitsubishi Electric and apply patches as soon as they are released.