ICS Advisory

Econolite EOS

Last Revised
Alert Code
ICSA-23-026-02

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 9.8
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity 
  • Vendor: Econolite 
  • Equipment: EOS 
  • Vulnerability: Improper Access Control, Use of Weak Hash 

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in a remote unauthenticated attacker gaining full control over traffic control functions performed by Econolite hardware. 

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of EOS, the traffic control software that controls all Econolite traffic hardware, are affected: 

  • EOS: All versions 

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 IMPROPER ACCESS CONTROL CWE-284 

The affected product lacks a password requirement for gaining “READONLY” access to log files, as well as certain database and configuration files. One such file contains tables with message-digest algorithm 5 (MD5) hashes and usernames for all defined users in the control software, including administrators and technicians. 

CVE-2023-0451 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N). 

3.2.2 USE OF WEAK HASH CWE-328 

The affected product uses a weak hash algorithm for encrypting privileged user credentials. A configuration file that is accessible without authentication uses MD5 hashes for encrypting credentials, including those of administrators and technicians. 

CVE-2023-0452 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). 

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Transportation 
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: United States and Canada 
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States 

3.4 RESEARCHER

Rustam Amin reported these vulnerabilities to CISA. 

4. MITIGATIONS

Econolite did not respond to CISA’s requests to coordinate. Users should contact Econolite for further information on mitigating these vulnerabilities. 

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities. 

Vendor

Econolite

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