CVE-2013-0652 in Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal
Summary
by MITRE
GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal does not restrict access to methods of an unspecified Java class, which allows remote attackers to obtain a username listing via an RMI call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0652 affects GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal, a industrial automation and monitoring system designed for real-time data processing and visualization. This system operates within critical infrastructure environments where security controls are paramount for maintaining operational integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The flaw resides in the system's implementation of remote method invocation mechanisms, specifically within an unspecified Java class that handles method access controls. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness in the system's authentication and authorization framework, as it fails to properly enforce access restrictions on critical system methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the Java-based RMI (Remote Method Invocation) framework used by the Proficy portal. When remote attackers establish connections to the system, they can exploit the missing access restrictions to invoke methods on the vulnerable Java class without proper authentication or authorization. This allows attackers to execute unauthorized operations that should typically be restricted to authorized users only. The specific nature of the vulnerability enables attackers to obtain username listings through carefully crafted RMI calls, effectively bypassing the system's intended security boundaries. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where unauthenticated or unauthorized users can access information that should remain protected within the system's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used for subsequent attacks. Username enumeration through RMI calls enables attackers to build comprehensive user directories that can be leveraged for targeted credential attacks, social engineering campaigns, or brute force authentication attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems environments where the compromise of user information can lead to broader system infiltration and operational disruption. Attackers can use the obtained username listings to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to critical operational data, system configuration changes, or even physical control system manipulation. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the system's access control model and creates an entry point for more advanced attack vectors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the affected systems from general network access, enabling strict firewall rules to restrict RMI communication to trusted sources only, and applying the latest security patches provided by GE Intelligent Platforms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through reconnaissance activities. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify other potential access control weaknesses and implement proper logging and monitoring of RMI activities to detect suspicious access patterns. Additionally, organizations should review their overall industrial control system security posture and consider implementing additional security controls such as network access control lists, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components.