CVE-2012-3018 in GENESIS32
Summary
by MITRE
The lockout-recovery feature in the Security Configurator component in ICONICS GENESIS32 9.22 and earlier and BizViz 9.22 and earlier uses an improper encryption algorithm for generation of an authentication code, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain administrative access by predicting a challenge response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3018 affects the Security Configurator component in ICONICS GENESIS32 and BizViz software versions 9.22 and earlier, representing a critical weakness in the authentication mechanism design. This issue resides within the lockout-recovery feature that is intended to provide security controls for access management but instead introduces a significant backdoor through flawed cryptographic implementation. The vulnerability specifically targets the generation of authentication codes used during the challenge-response authentication process, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the entire security framework of these industrial automation platforms.
The technical flaw stems from the use of an improper encryption algorithm that fails to provide adequate entropy and cryptographic strength for generating authentication codes. When the system attempts to generate challenge-response pairs for authentication purposes, it employs a weak algorithm that produces predictable outputs, allowing attackers to reverse-engineer or guess the expected responses without legitimate authorization. This weakness directly relates to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, and represents a fundamental failure in implementing proper cryptographic practices. The flawed implementation means that the system's intended security controls become ineffective, as the challenge-response mechanism cannot properly verify authentic users while simultaneously enabling unauthorized access through predictable code generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain administrative access to industrial control systems. This represents a severe concern for operational technology environments where these platforms are deployed, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges that could enable them to modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or potentially disrupt industrial processes. The local user requirement for exploitation reduces the attack surface compared to remote exploits, but the administrative access gained provides attackers with extensive control over the affected systems. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, where adversaries leverage weak authentication mechanisms to gain higher-level system access.
The implications for industrial security are particularly concerning given that ICONICS GENESIS32 and BizViz are commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments where system integrity and access control are paramount. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security controls that organizations rely upon to protect their operational technology infrastructure from unauthorized access. Organizations using these platforms face significant risk of compromise, as the predictable nature of the authentication code generation means that attackers can systematically work through potential valid responses until they find a match, effectively breaking the authentication barrier. This type of vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where industrial control systems are connected to corporate networks, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to move laterally within the network while maintaining administrative privileges. The weakness in the encryption implementation highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic protocol selection and implementation in security-critical applications, particularly those deployed in environments where system availability and integrity are essential for operational safety and business continuity.