CVE-2015-7900 in Mango Automation
Summary
by MITRE
Infinite Automation Mango Automation 2.5.x and 2.6.x before 2.6.0 build 430 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive debugging information by entering a crafted URL to trigger an exception, and then visiting a certain status page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7900 affects Infinite Automation Mango Automation versions 2.5.x and 2.6.x prior to build 430, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive debugging data to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the web application framework of the automation platform, specifically in how it handles error conditions and exception management. The flaw allows malicious actors to construct specially crafted URLs that deliberately trigger application exceptions, subsequently enabling them to access detailed status pages that contain privileged debugging information. This issue falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, with direct implications for system security and operational integrity.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the application's inadequate exception handling procedures within its web interface. When a crafted URL is submitted to the system, it causes the application to throw an exception that is not properly sanitized or suppressed before being displayed on subsequent status pages. These status pages contain comprehensive debugging information including stack traces, internal system paths, configuration details, and potentially database connection parameters. The vulnerability leverages the principle that unhandled exceptions in web applications should never expose internal system details to external users, a fundamental security practice that directly contradicts the behavior exhibited by this flawed implementation. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness in information disclosure where sensitive data is inadvertently exposed to unauthorized parties, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through information gathering.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7900 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed debugging information provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent attacks. The sensitive details accessible through this vulnerability may include system architecture information, database schema details, application version numbers, and potential internal network configurations that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. Security researchers have noted that such debugging information often serves as a roadmap for attackers to identify additional vulnerabilities within the system, making this single flaw potentially instrumental in enabling broader compromise of the automation environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems where Mango Automation is commonly deployed, as it could provide adversaries with insights into operational technology infrastructure that might lead to physical security breaches or operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7900 primarily focus on implementing proper exception handling and error management within the web application framework. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Mango Automation build 430 or later, which includes patched exception handling routines that prevent sensitive debugging information from being exposed to unauthorized users. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns, configuring proper logging mechanisms to monitor for attempted exploitation, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar error handling vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53, specifically addressing the need for secure error handling and information protection controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be easily automated and scaled by threat actors.