CVE-2015-3946 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Advantech WebAccess before 8.1 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of unspecified victims via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2018
The CVE-2015-3946 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in Advantech WebAccess software versions prior to 8.1. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administration interface of the industrial automation and monitoring platform, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Advantech's SCADA systems. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate authenticated sessions without proper authorization, potentially enabling unauthorized access to critical industrial control systems. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential pathways for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for industrial environments where security is paramount.
This CSRF vulnerability operates by tricking authenticated users into executing unintended actions against a web application they are currently authenticated to. The flaw exists in how Advantech WebAccess handles session management and request validation, specifically failing to implement proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms or other session integrity checks. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or emails containing forged requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, perform actions within the WebAccess interface without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability affects the authentication system's ability to distinguish between legitimate user requests and maliciously crafted ones, essentially allowing session hijacking through crafted cross-site requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, particularly within industrial control environments where Advantech WebAccess is commonly deployed. Organizations using affected versions face potential risks including unauthorized configuration changes, data manipulation, system disruption, and possible escalation to more severe attacks targeting operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the industrial network, making it a significant concern for critical infrastructure sectors. The unspecified victim authentication vectors suggest that various user roles within the system could be compromised, potentially affecting operators, administrators, and other authorized personnel with different privilege levels.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers Phishing for Information, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through social engineering campaigns targeting system administrators. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Advantech WebAccess version 8.1 or later, which includes proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Additional defensive measures should encompass network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting the affected interface. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and implementing robust security practices in operational technology environments where system integrity and availability are essential for safe operations.