CVE-2012-0239 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
uaddUpAdmin.asp in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 does not properly perform authentication, which allows remote attackers to modify an administrative password via a password-change request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0239 affects Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess versions prior to 7.0, specifically targeting the uaddUpAdmin.asp component. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass issue that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected industrial automation platform. The vulnerability resides in the administrative password modification functionality, where proper authentication mechanisms fail to validate user credentials before allowing password changes. This weakness enables unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the system and modify administrative passwords, effectively granting them elevated privileges within the industrial control environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and authentication checks within the WebAccess administrative interface, where the uaddUpAdmin.asp script fails to verify that incoming requests originate from legitimate administrative users. Attackers can simply craft malicious requests to the password change endpoint without providing valid administrative credentials, thereby bypassing the entire authentication framework. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system should enforce strict access controls before permitting any administrative modifications.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0239 extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it provides attackers with the ability to assume full administrative control over the affected WebAccess system. Industrial environments utilizing this software may experience severe consequences including unauthorized system modifications, data manipulation, and potential disruption of critical operations. The remote exploit capability means attackers do not require physical access or network proximity, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in industrial settings where network security may be less stringent. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of industrial control systems, potentially allowing attackers to modify configuration settings, access sensitive operational data, or disable critical system functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess version 7.0 or later, which contains the necessary authentication fixes. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additional security measures include implementing strong access controls, regular security assessments, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles, particularly the reconnaissance and privilege escalation phases where attackers can leverage such authentication bypasses to gain deeper system access. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for unusual administrative password change activities and ensure that all industrial control system components are regularly updated and patched according to vendor security advisories.