CVE-2016-0852 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Advantech WebAccess before 8.1 allows remote attackers to bypass an intended administrative requirement and obtain file or folder access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0852 affects Advantech WebAccess versions prior to 8.1, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect administrative resources. This vulnerability resides within industrial automation and monitoring systems that are widely deployed in manufacturing environments, critical infrastructure, and industrial control systems where unauthorized access could have severe operational and security implications. The flaw enables remote attackers to circumvent intended administrative requirements that should restrict access to sensitive files and folders, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain access to system resources that should only be available to authorized administrators.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the WebAccess platform, which fails to properly validate user permissions when accessing certain resources. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to bypass authentication checks that should normally require administrative privileges, effectively granting them unauthorized access to files and folders that contain sensitive configuration data, operational parameters, or system management resources. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE category of insufficient authorization, specifically CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization in software systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial networks may be exposed to external threats.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0852 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate critical system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or potentially disrupt industrial processes. In industrial control systems, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to modify process parameters, access proprietary manufacturing data, or even interfere with production operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and making it particularly attractive to both opportunistic attackers and nation-state actors targeting critical infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as unauthorized access to administrative resources can lead to further exploitation of the system.
Organizations utilizing Advantech WebAccess systems should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 8.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this authorization bypass vulnerability. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to industrial control systems, and additional access controls should be enforced through firewalls and network access control lists. Regular security assessments and monitoring of system access logs should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operational technology environments. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments to monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation of this type of vulnerability.