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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CVSS v4 8.7
ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
Vendor: Unitronics
Equipment: Vision series PLCs
Vulnerability: Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to log in to the Remote HMI feature, where the PLC may be factory reset, stopped, and restarted.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Unitronics Vision 230 PLCs are affected:

Vision 230: All versions
Vision 280: All versions
Vision 290: All versions
Vision 530: All versions
Vision 120: All versions

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format CWE-257

Unitronics Vision Standard PLCs allow a remote, unauthenticated individual to retrieve the ‘Information Mode’ password in plaintext.

CVE-2024-1480 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 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).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-1480. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Water and Wastewater
COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Israel

3.4 RESEARCHER

Reid Wightman of Dragos reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Dragos recommends users to restrict access to the PLC on TCP/20256 by either changing the default programmer port, or apply a multi-factor VPN to protect the service from remote access.

Unitronics has not responded to requests to work with CISA to mitigate this vulnerability. Please contact Unitronics customer support for more information.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
When remote access is required, use more 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 the 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 on 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.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

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.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

April 18, 2024: Initial Publication