Cooper Power Systems Cybectec DNP3 Master OPC Server Improper Input Validation

OVERVIEW

Adam Crain of Automatak and independent researcher Chris Sistrunk have identified an improper input validation vulnerability in Cooper Power Systems Cybectec DNP3 Master OPC Server software. Cooper Power Systems has discontinued the OPC server and recommends that customers use the SMP Gateway as a replacement that mitigates this vulnerability.

This vulnerability could be exploited remotely.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following Cybectec product is affected:

• DNP3 Master OPC Server, all versions.

IMPACT

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to affect the availability of the DNP3 Master OPC Server software.

Impact to individual organizations depends on many factors that are unique to each organization. NCCIC/ICS-CERT recommends that organizations evaluate the impact of this vulnerability based on their operational environment, architecture, and product implementation.

BACKGROUND

Cybectec is a US-based company that maintains offices in several countries around the world, including the United States and Canada.

The affected product, DNP3 Master OPC Server, supports the DNP3 outstation. According to Cybectec, OPC servers are deployed across the energy sector. Cybectec estimates that these products are used primarily in the United States and Latin America.

VULNERABILITY CHARACTERIZATION

VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

The DNP3 component in Cooper Power Systems Cybectec DNP3 Master OPC Server incorrectly validates input. An attacker could introduce an unhandled exception, causing the process to crash.

CVE-2013-2814NVD, http://Web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-2814, NIST uses this advisory to create the CVE Web site report. This Web site will be active sometime after publication of this advisory. has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v2 base score of 7.1 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C).CVSS Calculator, http://nvd.nist.gov/cvss.cfm?version=2&vector=AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C, Web site last accessed December  12, 2013.

VULNERABILITY DETAILS

EXPLOITABILITY

This vulnerability could be exploited remotely.

EXISTENCE OF EXPLOIT

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.

DIFFICULTY

An attacker with a moderate skill would be able to exploit this vulnerability.

MITIGATION

Cooper Power Systems has discontinued the OPC server and recommends that customers use the SMP Gateway product as a replacement that mitigates this vulnerability. For additional information, please contact a customer support representative at eassupport@cooperindustries.com.

NCCIC/ICS-CERT encourages asset owners to take additional defensive measures to protect against this and other cybersecurity risks.

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

NCCIC/ICS-CERT also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the NCCIC/ICS-CERT Web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.CSSP Recommended Practices, http://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/content/recommended-practices, Web site last accessed December  12, 2013. NCCIC/ICS-CERT reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to taking defensive measures.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available in the NCCIC/ICS-CERT Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B—Targeted Cyber Intrusion Mitigation Strategies,Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies, http://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B, Web site last accessed December 12, 2013. that is available for download from the NCCIC/ICS-CERT Web page (http://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/).

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC/ICS-CERT for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

• Cooper Power Systems