CVE-2011-4859 in Stb Dio Ethernet Module Stbnic2212
Summary
by MITRE
The Schneider Electric Quantum Ethernet Module, as used in the Quantum 140NOE771* and 140CPU65* modules, the Premium TSXETY* and TSXP57* modules, the M340 BMXNOE01* and BMXP3420* modules, and the STB DIO STBNIC2212 and STBNIP2* modules, uses hardcoded passwords for the (1) AUTCSE, (2) AUT_CSE, (3) fdrusers, (4) ftpuser, (5) loader, (6) nic2212, (7) nimrohs2212, (8) nip2212, (9) noe77111_v500, (10) ntpupdate, (11) pcfactory, (12) sysdiag, (13) target, (14) test, (15) USER, and (16) webserver accounts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via the (a) TELNET, (b) Windriver Debug, or (c) FTP port.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The CVE-2011-4859 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Schneider Electric's Quantum Ethernet Module family, affecting multiple industrial control system components including Quantum 140NOE771, 140CPU65, Premium TSXETY, TSXP57, M340 BMXNOE771, BMXP3420, and STB DIO modules. This vulnerability stems from the implementation of hardcoded credentials across numerous system accounts, creating a persistent security weakness that significantly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of industrial network environments. The flaw manifests through the use of static, predictable passwords for authentication across multiple service endpoints, including TELNET, Windriver Debug, and FTP protocols, which directly violates fundamental security principles of credential management and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the embedding of identical passwords across 16 distinct user accounts including AUTCSE, AUT_CSE, fdrusers, ftpuser, loader, nic2212, nimrohs2212, nip2212, noe77111_v500, ntpupdate, pcfactory, sysdiag, target, test, USER, and webserver. This hardcoded approach to credential management creates a single point of failure across the entire system architecture, allowing malicious actors to exploit any of these accounts with identical authentication credentials. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices recommended by NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for industrial control systems. The presence of these hardcoded credentials across multiple authentication vectors significantly amplifies the attack surface and reduces the complexity required for unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and operational disruption within industrial environments. Remote attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials to establish persistent access through TELNET connections, Windriver debugging interfaces, or FTP services, potentially enabling them to modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or deploy malicious payloads. The vulnerability particularly affects critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and process control systems where these modules are commonly deployed. This exposure creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats to establish footholds within industrial networks, potentially leading to cascading effects that could compromise entire production facilities or critical infrastructure operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4859 should focus on immediate credential management improvements and long-term architectural security enhancements. Organizations must implement dynamic credential generation, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and establish robust access control policies for all industrial control system components. The remediation process requires systematic identification of all affected modules, replacement of hardcoded credentials with dynamically generated values, and implementation of multi-factor authentication where feasible. Security controls should align with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and IEC 62443 standards for industrial automation and control systems, ensuring that authentication mechanisms are regularly updated and that access privileges are strictly controlled. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credential implementations within the industrial control system infrastructure.