CVE-2015-0976 in Inductive Automation Ignition
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Inductive Automation Ignition 7.7.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2017
The CVE-2015-0976 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Inductive Automation Ignition 7.7.2, a industrial automation platform widely deployed in manufacturing and control systems environments. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based interface of Ignition 7.7.2, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the application's web components. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors that likely involve user-controllable parameters in the web interface. These vectors may include form fields, URL parameters, or other input mechanisms that process user-supplied data without proper sanitization. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors can trigger the attack from any location on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where operational technology systems are often exposed to external networks. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple entry points within the application's web interface may be susceptible to this type of injection attack, potentially affecting various components including configuration interfaces, user management sections, or dashboard elements.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0976 extends beyond typical web application security concerns, particularly within industrial control environments where Ignition 7.7.2 is commonly deployed. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. In industrial settings, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of control systems, potentially affecting production processes or security monitoring functions. The attack could be leveraged to manipulate user interfaces, inject false data into dashboards, or redirect operators to compromised systems, creating potential safety hazards in industrial environments. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate further attacks within the network by enabling attackers to establish persistent access through stolen session tokens or by using the compromised interface as a launch point for additional exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0976 should focus on immediate patching and defensive measures to protect industrial control systems. Organizations should prioritize updating to a patched version of Inductive Automation Ignition that addresses the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection against malicious script injection attempts. Input validation should be strengthened across all user-controllable parameters, and output encoding should be implemented to ensure that any user-supplied data is properly escaped before rendering in web interfaces. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious script injection attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all components of the industrial automation environment are protected against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.008 technique for 'Scripting' within the Execution phase, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the specific vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for operators and administrators who interact with the Ignition interface, as social engineering attacks may be used in conjunction with this technical vulnerability to compromise industrial control systems.