CVE-2015-3943 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Advantech WebAccess before 8.1 allows remote attackers to read sensitive cleartext information about e-mail project accounts via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3943 affects Advantech WebAccess versions prior to 8.1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive cleartext email account credentials. This vulnerability resides within industrial automation and monitoring systems where WebAccess serves as a web-based interface for managing industrial control systems. The flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow unauthorized remote access to email project account information, potentially exposing authentication credentials in cleartext format.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-200, Information Exposure, where sensitive data is accessible to unauthorized actors without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms. The cleartext exposure indicates inadequate cryptographic protection for sensitive information, making the system particularly vulnerable to network sniffing attacks and man-in-the-middle scenarios. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may exist across multiple communication channels or interfaces within the WebAccess platform, potentially affecting email configuration settings, user authentication details, or project-specific email notification parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the security posture of industrial control environments where WebAccess is deployed. The exposure of email account credentials could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system notifications, potentially leading to further compromise of industrial control systems through email-based attack vectors. The cleartext nature of the exposed information significantly amplifies the risk as attackers can immediately utilize these credentials for unauthorized access without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where email notifications are configured for system alerts, security events, or operational status updates, creating potential attack pathways for lateral movement and persistent access.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader industrial control system compromise scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1567 - Exfiltration Over Web Service, where attackers can leverage exposed credentials for further reconnaissance and data exfiltration activities. Organizations utilizing Advantech WebAccess systems face heightened risk of targeted attacks where threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access and monitor industrial operations through email-based communication channels. The impact is particularly severe in critical infrastructure environments where industrial control systems require robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access and maintain operational integrity.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of Advantech WebAccess installations to version 8.1 or later, which addresses this information disclosure vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of WebAccess systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should enforce encryption of all communication channels and implement proper credential management practices including regular credential rotation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual email access patterns or unauthorized credential usage. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and regular security assessments of industrial control system components to prevent similar exposure scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.