CVE-2021-20999 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2021-20999, a critical vulnerability in Weidmüller u-controls and IoT-Gateways allowing unauthorized access to internal network ports. Find out the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
This article delves into the details of CVE-2021-20999, a vulnerability found in Weidmüller u-controls and IoT-Gateways. Understanding the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps are crucial to ensure the security of affected devices.
Understanding CVE-2021-20999
CVE-2021-20999 is a critical vulnerability in Weidmüller u-controls and IoT-Gateways that allows external access to a network port meant for internal usage. This can lead to device manipulation or disruptions in operation.
What is CVE-2021-20999?
In versions up to 1.12.1, Weidmüller devices have a network port accessible via external interfaces, posing a significant security risk.
The Impact of CVE-2021-20999
The vulnerability has a base score of 9.4, indicating a critical severity level. Attackers can exploit this issue to compromise the integrity of the device with high availability impact.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-20999
The vulnerability exposes a network port to external access, allowing unauthorized manipulation or disruption of devices. It has a low attack complexity and vector of network.
Vulnerability Description
Weidmüller devices up to version 1.12.1 have a misconfiguration that grants access to an internal network port from external interfaces, enabling potential manipulation.
Affected Systems and Versions
Products like UC20-WL2000-AC, UC20-WL2000-IOT, IOT-GW30, and IOT-GW30-4G-EU versions <= 1.12.1 are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can take advantage of the exposed network port to tamper with the device or disrupt its normal operation.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-20999 is crucial for maintaining the security of Weidmüller devices.
Immediate Steps to Take
Restricting access to the network and avoiding direct internet connections are initial steps to prevent unauthorized access.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly updating devices to the latest firmware version, such as 1.12.3 or higher, is recommended to address this vulnerability effectively.
Patching and Updates
Weidmüller has provided a solution by advising affected users to upgrade to firmware version 1.12.3 or newer, which includes fixes for this security issue.