CVE-2021-20588 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-20588, a vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric FA Engineering Software that could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) condition and potentially execute a malicious program.

Understanding CVE-2021-20588

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-20588 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-20588?

The vulnerability involves an improper handling of length parameter inconsistency in various versions of Mitsubishi Electric FA Engineering Software, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt software operations and execute malicious code.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20588

CVE-2021-20588 poses a significant risk as it allows remote unauthenticated attackers to trigger a DoS state in affected software products and potentially run unauthorized programs by manipulating reply packets.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20588

This section provides a technical overview of the CVE-2021-20588 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an inadequate handling of length parameter inconsistencies in multiple versions of Mitsubishi Electric FA Engineering Software, opening avenues for exploitation by threat actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts a wide range of products including CPU Module Logging Configuration Tool, CW Configurator, Data Transfer, EZSocket, FR Configurator, GT Designer3, GT SoftGOT1000, GX Developer, GX IEC Developer, and many more.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability involves spoofing MELSEC, GOT, or FREQROL and returning meticulously crafted reply packets to trigger a DoS condition and potentially execute malicious programs.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-20588.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions include deploying security patches provided by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and monitoring network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing network segmentation, restricting access to critical systems, and conducting regular security audits are crucial for strengthening long-term security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating the affected software versions with the latest patches and following best practices for secure software usage are essential to prevent exploitation.