1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 9.8
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely
- Vendor: Emerson
- Equipment: Rosemount GC370XA, GC700XA, GC1500XA
- Vulnerabilities: Command Injection, Improper Authentication, Improper Authorization
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access to run arbitrary commands, access sensitive information, cause a denial-of-service condition, and bypass authentication to acquire admin capabilities.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following Emerson Rosemount Gas Chromatographs are affected:
- GC370XA: Version 4.1.5
- GC700XA: Version 4.1.5
- GC1500XA: Version 4.1.5
3.2 Vulnerability Overview
3.2.1 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN A COMMAND (‘COMMAND INJECTION’) CWE-77
In Emerson Rosemount GC370XA, GC700XA, and GC1500XA products, an unauthenticated user with network access could execute arbitrary commands in root context from a remote computer.
CVE-2023-46687 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).
3.2.2 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN A COMMAND (‘COMMAND INJECTION’) CWE-77
In Emerson Rosemount GC370XA, GC700XA, and GC1500XA products, an authenticated user with network access could run arbitrary commands from a remote computer.
CVE-2023-49716 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:H).
3.2.3 IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287
In Emerson Rosemount GC370XA, GC700XA, and GC1500XA products, an unauthenticated user with network access could bypass authentication and acquire admin capabilities.
CVE-2023-51761 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
3.2.4 IMPROPER AUTHORIZATION CWE-285
In Emerson Rosemount GC370XA, GC700XA, and GC1500XA products, an unauthenticated user with network access could obtain access to sensitive information or cause a denial-of-service condition.
CVE-2023-43609 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:H).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy, Chemical
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Vera Mens of Claroty Research reported these vulnerabilities to Emerson.
4. MITIGATIONS
Emerson recommends end users update the affected products’ firmware. For update information, contact Emerson Tech Support. Emerson recommends end users continue to use current cybersecurity industry best practices, and in the event such infrastructure is not implemented within an end user’s network, the user should take action to ensure the affected product is connected to a well-protected network and not connected to the Internet. For more information, refer to the Emerson Security web page.
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.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities have a high attack complexity.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- January 30, 2024: Initial Publication