ABB Arctic Wireless Gateways

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 9.2
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: ABB
• Equipment: Arctic Wireless Gateways
• Vulnerabilities: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow'), Improper Privilege Management, Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could run arbitrary code in the product with privileged user permissions or could lead to a denial of service or tampering with unencrypted traffic.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

ABB reports there are vulnerabilities in the Telit PL62-W wireless modem module used in the following products:

• Arctic ARP600, ARC600, ARR600: Firmware versions 3.4.10, 3.4.11, 3.4.12, 3.4.13 (CVE-2024-6387)
• Arctic Wireless Gateways ARG600, ARC600, ARR600: All versions with Telit PLS62-W wireless modem module (CVE-2023-47610, CVE-2023-47611, CVE-2023-47612, CVE-2023-47613, CVE-2023-47614, CVE-2023-47615, CVE-2023-47616)

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 BUFFER COPY WITHOUT CHECKING SIZE OF INPUT ('CLASSIC BUFFER OVERFLOW') CWE-120

A buffer overflow vulnerability could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system by sending a specially crafted short message service (SMS) message.

CVE-2023-47610 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47610. A base score of 9.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 IMPROPER PRIVILEGE MANAGEMENT CWE-269

An improper privilege management vulnerability could allow a local, low-privileged attacker to elevate privileges to "manufacturer" level on the targeted system by sending a specially crafted SMS message.

CVE-2023-47611 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47611. A base score of 5.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200

Files or directories accessible to an external parties vulnerability could allow an attacker with physical access to the target system to obtain a read/write access to any files and directories on the wireless modem module, including hidden files and directories.

CVE-2023-47612 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47612. A base score of 5.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.4 IMPROPER LIMITATION OF A PATHNAME TO A RESTRICTED DIRECTORY ('PATH TRAVERSAL') CWE-22

A relative path traversal vulnerability could allow a local, low-privileged attacker to escape from virtual directories and get read/write access to protected files on the wireless modem module.

CVE-2023-47613 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 3.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47613. A base score of 2.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.5 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200

An exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor vulnerability could allow a local, low-privileged attacker to disclose hidden virtual paths and file names on the wireless modem module.

CVE-2023-47614 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 3.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47614. A base score of 2.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.6 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200

An exposure of sensitive information through environmental variables vulnerability could allow a local, low-privileged attacker to get access to sensitive data on the wireless modem module.

CVE-2023-47615 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 4.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47615. A base score of 5.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.7 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200

An exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor vulnerability could allow an attacker with physical access to the target system to get access to sensitive data on the wireless modem module.

CVE-2023-47616 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 4.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-47616. A base score of 5.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.8 CONCURRENT EXECUTION USING SHARED RESOURCE WITH IMPROPER SYNCHRONIZATION ('RACE CONDITION') CWE-362

This vulnerability is a signal handler race condition in OpenSSH's server (sshd) on glibc-based Linux systems, allowing unauthenticated remote code execution as root.

CVE-2024-6387 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-6387. A base score of 9.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland

3.4 RESEARCHER

ABB reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

ABB recommends users to perform the following actions at their earliest convenience:

• Modem module vulnerability mitigations: Mitigate the cellular module vulnerabilities by contacting the mobile network operator and requesting to disable binary SMS for a mobile subscription. Note that binary SMS service is often disabled by default based on operator restrictions. If SMS services are not used in the solution, consider disabling them completely.
• SSH vulnerability mitigations: Establish remote connections through OpenVPN. If the SSH protocol is used for remote administration of Arctic wireless gateway, it is to be considered logging in to the wireless gateway through an OpenVPN tunnel. Do not expose SSH port to public networks. Keep the SSH port closed to public networks and thus limit the number of potential attackers who can attempt to exploit the vulnerability. This way only devices within the private network or those connected through a secure VPN can access the SSH server.
• Common mitigations: Obtain a private cellular access point to limit impact of any potential exploit. Contact the cellular provider for availability. Restrict physical access to the product. Follow general security recommendations for further advice on how to keep the system secure.

For more information, please refer to ABB's Cybersecurity Advisory 2NGA002427.

ABB strongly recommends the following (non-exhaustive) list of cyber security practices for any installation of software-related ABB products:

• Isolate special purpose networks (e.g., for automation systems) and remote devices behind firewalls and separate them from any general purpose network (e.g., office or home networks).
• Install physical controls so no unauthorized personnel can access the devices, components, peripheral equipment, and networks.
• Never connect programming software or computers containing programing software to any network other than the network for the devices that it is intended for.
• Scan all data imported into your environment before use to detect potential malware infections.
• Minimize network exposure for all applications and endpoints to ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet unless they are designed for such exposure and the intended use requires such.
• Ensure all nodes are always up to date in terms of installed software, operating system, and firmware patches as well as anti-virus and firewall.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs). Recognize that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also, understand that VPNs are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. 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. 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 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 10, 2025: Initial Re-publication of ABB 2NGA002427.

• ABB