CVE-2014-2366 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
upAdminPg.asp in Advantech WebAccess before 7.2 allows remote authenticated users to discover credentials by reading HTML source code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2366 affects Advantech WebAccess versions prior to 7.2 and specifically targets the upAdminPg.asp component. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to extract sensitive credential information from the web application's HTML source code. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of administrative account credentials within the web interface, where sensitive data is inadvertently exposed through the application's source code rather than being properly secured or obfuscated. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can significantly compromise system security and user authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the upAdminPg.asp script where administrative user credentials are stored or referenced in a manner that makes them accessible through HTML source code inspection. When authenticated users access certain administrative pages, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode credential information, allowing the raw data to be visible in the page source. This exposure can occur through various mechanisms including embedded variables, hardcoded credential references, or improperly configured session management that retains credential information in client-side code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that attackers who have already gained valid user credentials can leverage this flaw to discover additional credential information for administrative accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2366 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it can facilitate further exploitation attempts and compromise the overall security posture of industrial control systems running Advantech WebAccess. Attackers can use the discovered credentials to escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to critical system functions, or perform malicious activities within the industrial environment. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security architecture of industrial networks where WebAccess is deployed. The exposure of administrative credentials through HTML source code represents a significant violation of security best practices and can lead to system compromise, data breaches, and potential operational disruptions in critical infrastructure environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Advantech WebAccess version 7.2 or later, which addresses this credential disclosure vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary administrative features, implementing robust access controls, and conducting regular security audits of web applications to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, Information Exposure, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, Credentials in Files, as it involves the exposure of sensitive information through web application source code. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation in preventing credential leakage through client-side code exposure.