ICS Advisory

OMNTEC Proteus Tank Monitoring (Update A)

Release Date
Alert Code
ICSA-24-268-06

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v4 9.3
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
  • Vendor: OMNTEC Mfg., Inc.
  • Equipment: Proteus Tank Monitoring
  • Vulnerability: Missing Authentication for Critical Function

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allow an attacker to perform administrative actions without proper authentication.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following version of Proteus Tank Monitoring is affected:

  • OMNTEC Proteus Tank Monitoring: OEL8000III K/X ATG Generation 3.0

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306

The affected product may allow an attacker to perform administrative actions without proper authentication.

CVE-2024-6981 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 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).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-6981. A base score of 9.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Pedro Umbelino of Bitsight reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

OMNTEC reports the vulnerability affects a legacy OMNTEC product, Generation 3.0 of OEL8000III K/X ATGs. Generations 3.5 and 4.0 of the OMNTEC Proteus OEL8000III K/X ATGs are not subject to the reported vulnerability.

OMNTEC has identified the following specific work arounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • OMNTEC Proteus OEL8000III K/X ATG Generation 3.0: Update Generation 3.0 to Generation 3.5 or higher

Users should contact OMNTEC or an authorized service provider if they are interested in upgrading their Generation 3.0 systems.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, 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:

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

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • September 24, 2024: Initial Publication
  • October 24, 2024: Update A - Added vendor mitigations and details to the affected product section

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