CVE-2014-2380 in Wonderware Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Schneider Electric Wonderware Information Server (WIS) Portal 4.0 SP1 through 5.5 uses weak encryption, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading a credential file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2380 affects Schneider Electric Wonderware Information Server (WIS) Portal versions 4.0 Service Pack 1 through 5.5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the confidentiality of sensitive authentication data. This weakness manifests in the application's use of inadequate encryption mechanisms when storing credential information, creating an exploitable condition that remote attackers can leverage to access privileged account details. The vulnerability resides within the credential file storage mechanism, where weak cryptographic practices fail to adequately protect sensitive information from unauthorized access attempts.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's failure to employ robust encryption standards for credential storage, typically falling under the category of weak cryptographic algorithms or improper encryption implementation. This weakness allows attackers to directly read credential files without requiring authentication or advanced exploitation techniques, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it eliminates the need for complex attack vectors. The use of weak encryption in this context aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, and represents a failure in proper cryptographic implementation practices. Attackers can exploit this by simply accessing the credential storage locations and decrypting the information using readily available tools or by leveraging the weak encryption algorithms to perform cryptographic attacks against the stored data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative accounts and sensitive system credentials that could be used for further exploitation. This weakness creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and unauthorized access to industrial control systems that rely on Wonderware Information Server for data management and monitoring. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network to exploit it, making it particularly concerning for industrial environments where security controls may be less stringent than in traditional enterprise settings. Organizations using these versions of Wonderware Information Server face significant risks including potential system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching or upgrading to versions that address the weak encryption implementation. Organizations should implement proper encryption standards for credential storage, ensuring that all sensitive information is protected using industry-approved cryptographic algorithms and key lengths that meet current security requirements. The implementation of additional security controls such as file access restrictions, mandatory encryption for all credential storage, and regular security assessments can help reduce the attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures that include monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts and implementing proper access controls for sensitive system files. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all system components are updated to eliminate this and similar cryptographic weaknesses in their industrial control systems.