CVE-2015-0994 in Inductive Automation Ignition
Summary
by MITRE
Inductive Automation Ignition 7.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to bypass a brute-force protection mechanism by using different session ID values in a series of HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0994 affects Inductive Automation Ignition 7.7.2, a industrial automation platform that provides human machine interface and supervisory control capabilities for industrial processes. This security flaw represents a significant weakness in the platform's authentication mechanism that directly impacts the system's ability to protect against automated attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management component of the software, which is critical for maintaining secure user authentication and access control within industrial control systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a flaw in how the Ignition platform handles session identifiers during authentication attempts. When legitimate users attempt to authenticate to the system, the platform employs a brute-force protection mechanism designed to prevent automated attacks by limiting the number of failed authentication attempts. However, the vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to circumvent this protection by utilizing multiple distinct session ID values across a sequence of HTTP requests. This technique effectively resets or bypasses the brute-force detection counters that would normally prevent rapid successive authentication attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security controls that protect industrial automation systems from unauthorized access. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform credential stuffing or password spraying attacks against user accounts, potentially gaining access to critical industrial control systems that manage physical processes and infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in industrial environments where operational technology systems require robust security controls to prevent potential disruptions to manufacturing processes, safety systems, or critical infrastructure operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-307, which addresses improper restriction of repeated access attempts, and demonstrates how weak session management can create pathways for automated attack vectors. The technique used to exploit this flaw corresponds to methods described in the ATT&CK framework under credential access tactics, specifically targeting the exploitation of authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized system access. Organizations implementing industrial automation solutions must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities, as they can create persistent security risks that may remain undetected for extended periods within operational technology environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of updated software versions from Inductive Automation that address the session management flaw, alongside enhanced monitoring of authentication patterns and session activity. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be implemented to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing more sophisticated intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous session behavior patterns and alert administrators to potential abuse of authentication bypass techniques. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust session management in industrial control systems where security failures can have physical consequences beyond traditional information technology risks.