CVE-2001-1341 in IPC@CHIP Embedded-Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
The Beck GmbH IPC@Chip embedded web server installs the chipcfg.cgi program by default, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive network information via a request to the program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1341 pertains to a critical security flaw in the Beck GmbH IPC@Chip embedded web server implementation. This device represents a class of embedded systems that were widely deployed in industrial and networking environments during the early 2000s, where the security considerations were often secondary to functionality and cost-effectiveness. The specific vulnerability arises from the default installation of the chipcfg.cgi program, which serves as a web-based interface for configuring embedded network chips. This program, by design, provides administrative access to network configuration parameters that are typically restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw manifests when the program fails to properly authenticate incoming requests, allowing any remote attacker to submit requests directly to the chipcfg.cgi endpoint without requiring valid credentials or access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the chipcfg.cgi program, which then responds by disclosing sensitive network information including but not limited to IP addresses, subnet masks, gateway configurations, and potentially other system-level parameters that could be used for further attacks. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and authentication mechanisms within embedded web interfaces, where the default configuration fails to implement proper security boundaries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and specifically addresses the weakness in authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to sensitive information. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw demonstrates how embedded systems often lack the robust security measures found in traditional enterprise systems, creating attack surfaces that can be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked network configuration data can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the affected network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage the disclosed information to map network topologies, identify potential targets for additional attacks, and potentially escalate privileges through subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and embedded network devices where the IPC@Chip technology was deployed, creating risks for critical infrastructure environments where network security is paramount. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and reconnaissance activities that can be facilitated by such information disclosure flaws. Organizations using affected devices face significant risks including potential network compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical network operations, especially in environments where these embedded systems control essential network functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of access control measures including disabling or removing the chipcfg.cgi program from production environments, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for any remaining web interfaces, and applying network segmentation to limit access to these embedded systems. Security administrators should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all instances of affected IPC@Chip devices and ensure that default configurations are properly hardened. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the necessity of regularly reviewing default installations for embedded systems. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to web interfaces and establish incident response procedures for handling such security events. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems before deployment in production environments, as many of these devices were designed with minimal security considerations in mind.