CVE-2011-3144 in ClearSCADA
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Control Microsystems ClearSCADA 2005, 2007, and 2009 before R2.3 and R1.4, as used in SCX before 67 R4.5 and 68 R3.9, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2017
The CVE-2011-3144 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Control Microsystems ClearSCADA software versions 2005, 2007, and 2009 prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability impacts industrial control systems that rely on ClearSCADA for monitoring and management purposes, creating significant security risks for critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability exists within the web interface components of these industrial automation platforms, which are commonly deployed in power generation, water treatment, and other essential services where system integrity is paramount.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer of ClearSCADA. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of web parameters, form fields, or URL components that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a cross-site scripting attack that allows malicious scripts to execute in the context of authenticated users. This weakness enables attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that can be executed by other users who access affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability in industrial control environments is particularly severe given that ClearSCADA systems are often deployed in critical infrastructure sectors where security is paramount. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, manipulate control system interfaces, or potentially disrupt industrial processes. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability especially dangerous for organizations with remote access capabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as attackers could use the XSS to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the industrial control environment.
Organizations using affected ClearSCADA versions should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches for R2.3 and R1.4 releases, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and conducting thorough security assessments of their industrial control system interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software, as legacy systems often contain unpatched security flaws that can be exploited by threat actors targeting critical infrastructure. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment programs are essential for identifying and addressing similar weaknesses in industrial automation environments.