CVE-2015-6474 in ServeMaster TLP+
Summary
by MITRE
IBC Solar ServeMaster TLP+ and Danfoss TLX Pro+ allow remote attackers to discover cleartext passwords by reading HTML source code.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6474 affects IBC Solar ServeMaster TLP+ and Danfoss TLX Pro+ industrial control systems, representing a critical security flaw in embedded web interfaces used for monitoring and controlling solar power systems. These devices are commonly deployed in renewable energy installations where they manage critical operational parameters and system configurations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive information within the web-based user interface, specifically exposing authentication credentials in plaintext within HTML source code. This flaw allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system administrative functions without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web server component of these industrial devices, where authentication tokens and password hashes are transmitted and stored in an unencrypted format within HTML source code. According to CWE-312, this represents a weakness in which sensitive data is stored or transmitted in cleartext, making it immediately accessible to any attacker who can observe the web page content. The flaw occurs during the web page rendering process where the system fails to properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive authentication parameters that are embedded directly into the HTML markup. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through the exploitation of weak authentication mechanisms and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as these industrial control systems manage critical solar power generation and monitoring functions. An attacker who successfully extracts cleartext passwords can gain full administrative control over the solar installation, potentially leading to system disruption, unauthorized energy consumption, or manipulation of operational parameters that could result in equipment damage or safety hazards. The exposure of authentication credentials also enables attackers to perform lateral movement within network environments where these devices are integrated, potentially compromising additional systems connected to the same network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both IBC Solar ServeMaster TLP+ and Danfoss TLX Pro+ models, indicating a widespread issue within the industrial solar monitoring equipment market.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6474 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by the vendors, which typically include proper input sanitization and encryption of sensitive data within web interfaces. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these industrial control systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate credential harvesting attempts. The implementation of secure remote access protocols such as SSH or VPN connections should replace direct web interface access where possible. Security awareness training for system administrators should emphasize the importance of regular firmware updates and proper network security measures for industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter and monitor traffic to these devices, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information through the web interface.