CVE-2012-1808 in H0-ECOM
Summary
by MITRE
The web server in the ECOM Ethernet module in Koyo H0-ECOM, H0-ECOM100, H2-ECOM, H2-ECOM-F, H2-ECOM100, H4-ECOM, H4-ECOM-F, and H4-ECOM100 does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to perform unspecified functions via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The CVE-2012-1808 vulnerability affects the ECOM Ethernet module in several Koyo industrial automation products including the H0-ECOM, H0-ECOM100, H2-ECOM, H2-ECOM-F, H2-ECOM100, H4-ECOM, H4-ECOM-F, and H4-ECOM100 series. This represents a critical security flaw in industrial control systems where the web server interface lacks proper authentication mechanisms, creating an unauthorized access vector that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the embedded web server functionality within these industrial modules, which are designed for industrial Ethernet communication and control applications.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of authentication requirements in the web server implementation of these industrial Ethernet modules. This authentication bypass allows attackers to access the web interface without providing valid credentials, effectively granting them unrestricted access to the device management functions. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may enable various malicious activities including configuration changes, data manipulation, or system control operations that could compromise the integrity and availability of the industrial control environment. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by providing open access to administrative functions that should be protected through proper authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe within industrial environments where these modules are deployed. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over industrial processes, potentially leading to production disruptions, safety hazards, or data compromise. The affected devices are commonly used in manufacturing, process control, and automation applications where maintaining system integrity and security is paramount. The lack of authentication creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the device is accessible on the network, potentially allowing attackers to monitor operations, modify configurations, or disrupt critical processes without detection.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates poor security implementation practices in industrial embedded systems where the assumption is often made that physical access is required for system administration. However, in modern networked industrial environments, remote access capabilities are increasingly common and require proper security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving initial access through network services and privilege escalation via unauthenticated administrative interfaces. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts, and consider applying firmware updates or network-based access controls to mitigate exposure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of security by design principles in industrial automation systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of embedded industrial devices.