Unraveling the Threat Landscape of CPS: Modbus TCP Vulnerabilities in the Era of I4.0
George Lazaridis, Anastasios Drosou, Periklis Chatzimisios, Dimitrios K. Tzovaras · 2024
In the period marked by Industry 4.0 (I4.0), Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) play a critical role in upgrading industrial processes by integrating physical machinery with digital technologies. However, the widespread adoption of advanced technologies also reveals significant cybersecurity challenges, particularly concerning the vulnerabilities in communication protocols such as Modbus TCP. This particular communication protocol is widely used in industrial processes, even though developed many years ago. This paper is complementary to our previous research and aims to unravel the threat landscape surrounding Modbus TCP vulnerabilities, exploring their implications for industrial security. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper identifies and assesses the exploitable weaknesses within CPS systems utilizing the Modbus TCP protocol. Additionally, the authors examine the potential impact of these vulnerabilities on critical infrastructure, highlighting the need for robust security measures to safeguard against cyber threats. By assessing the complexity of Modbus TCP vulnerabilities, this research contributes to the understanding of cybersecurity risks in the context of I4.0 and provides insights for developing effective mitigation strategies.