Walchem Intuition 9

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.5
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Walchem
• Equipment: Intuition 9
• Vulnerabilities: Missing Authentication for Critical Function, Improper Authentication

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to download and export sensitive data or grant an attacker direct login to a device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Intuition 9, a water treatment controller, are affected: 

• Intuition 9: versions prior to v4.21

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306

Walchem Intuition 9 firmware versions prior to v4.21 are missing authentication for some of the API routes of the management web server. This could allow an attacker to download and export sensitive data.

CVE-2023-38422 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.2.2 IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287

Walchem Intuition 9 firmware versions prior to v4.21 are vulnerable to improper authentication. Login credentials are stored in a format that could allow an attacker to use them as-is to login and gain access to the device.

CVE-2023-32202 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Water and Wastewater Systems
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Noam Moshe of Claroty Research - Team82 reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Walchem recommends upgrading all Intuition 9 firmware versions to v4.21 or later. The upgrade can be downloaded from the Walchem website.

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 exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities have been reported to CISA at this time.