Tec4Data SmartCooler Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CVE-2018-14796)

# ICS Advisory (ICSA-18-263-01) ## Tec4Data SmartCooler Original release date: September 20, 2018 [Print Document](javascript:window.print\(\);) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-263-01) [Like Me](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-263-01) [Share](http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-263-01) ### Legal Notice All information products included in [https://us-cert.gov/ics](/ics) are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more information about TLP, see [https://www.us- cert.gov/tlp/](/tlp/). * * * ## 1\. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * **CVSS v3 7.5** * **ATTENTION:** Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit * **Vendor:** Tec4Data * **Equipment:** SmartCooler * **Vulnerability:** Missing Authentication for Critical Function ## 2\. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause the device to shut down by exploiting missing authentication for a critical function. ## 3\. TECHNICAL DETAILS ### 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS The following versions of SmartCooler, a cooling appliance, are affected: * SmartCooler, all versions prior to firmware 180806 ### 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW **3.2.1 [MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/306.html)** The device responds to a remote unauthenticated reboot command that may be used to perform a denial of service attack. [CVE-2018-14796](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2018-14796) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ([AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)). ### 3.3 BACKGROUND * **CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS:** Commercial Facilities * **COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED:** Worldwide * **COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION:** Austria ### 3.4 RESEARCHER Ankit Anubhav of NewSky Security reported this vulnerability to NCCIC. ## 4\. MITIGATIONS Tec4Data has released new firmware to address the vulnerability and has distributed the new firmware to affected devices. NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should: * Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are [not accessible from the Internet](/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01). * Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network. * When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices. NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures. NCCIC also provides a section for [control systems security recommended practices](/ics/content/recommended-practices) on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including [Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in- Depth Strategies](/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS- CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf). Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the [ICS-CERT website](/ics/) in the Technical Information Paper, [ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies](/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B). Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents. No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.