CVE-2015-7931 in A840 Telemetry Gateway Base Station
Summary
by MITRE
The Java client in Adcon Telemetry A840 Telemetry Gateway Base Station does not authenticate the station device, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof devices and obtain sensitive information by reading cleartext packet data, related to the lack of SSL support.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7931 affects the Java client implementation within the Adcon Telemetry A840 Telemetry Gateway Base Station, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of telemetry communications. This weakness stems from the absence of proper device authentication mechanisms within the client-side component, creating an exploitable gap in the security architecture that adversaries can leverage to compromise the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks without requiring sophisticated tools or extensive privileges, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the complete lack of SSL/TLS support within the Java client implementation, which results in all communication occurring over unencrypted channels. When the client attempts to establish connections with telemetry devices, it fails to verify the identity of the remote station through certificate-based authentication or other secure verification methods. This absence of authentication creates a scenario where malicious actors can intercept network traffic and present themselves as legitimate devices, effectively bypassing the security controls designed to protect sensitive telemetry data. The cleartext packet data transmission exposes not only the telemetry information itself but also potentially sensitive operational parameters and configuration details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model of the telemetry system. Attackers can not only read sensitive information transmitted between devices but can also inject false data into the system, potentially causing operational disruptions or misleading decision-making processes based on corrupted telemetry data. The lack of SSL support means that all communications are vulnerable to eavesdropping, replay attacks, and session hijacking, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited simultaneously. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and telemetry infrastructure where the integrity of data transmission is paramount for operational safety and security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper SSL/TLS support within the Java client component, ensuring that all communications are encrypted and authenticated through certificate-based verification mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks. The remediation process requires updating the Java client implementation to support secure communication protocols, including certificate validation and mutual authentication. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure communication practices. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access and potentially remain undetected within the network infrastructure.