CVE-2016-0862 in Industrial Solutions UPS SNMP-Web Adapter
Summary
by MITRE
General Electric (GE) Industrial Solutions UPS SNMP/Web Adapter devices with firmware before 4.8 allow remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive cleartext account information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0862 affects General Electric Industrial Solutions UPS SNMP/Web Adapter devices running firmware versions prior to 4.8. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication and credential handling mechanisms of these industrial network devices that are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for power management and monitoring. The affected devices operate as network interfaces between uninterruptible power supply systems and network management infrastructure, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's ability to properly secure sensitive account information, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access to operational networks.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of authentication credentials within the SNMP/Web adapter firmware, where cleartext account information is exposed through unspecified vectors that allow authenticated attackers to extract sensitive data. This vulnerability falls under the category of credential exposure and weak credential storage, which aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials). The issue manifests when legitimate users with valid credentials attempt to interact with the device's management interfaces, inadvertently exposing password and authentication details that should remain protected. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple attack paths including web interface interactions, SNMP queries, or other management protocols that the device supports.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to industrial networks. When attackers obtain cleartext credentials, they can potentially move laterally within the network, access other systems, and disrupt critical infrastructure operations. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where these UPS devices are integrated into larger industrial control systems, as the compromised credentials could provide access to critical power management functions that could be exploited for denial of service attacks or to manipulate power distribution within facilities. The risk is compounded by the fact that these devices are often deployed in mission-critical environments where power management systems are essential for maintaining operational continuity.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including firmware updates to version 4.8 or later, which contain patches addressing the cleartext credential exposure issue. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only, while additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication should be considered where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or credential extraction attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper credential handling in embedded systems and industrial devices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552 (Credentials in Files) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) which emphasize the need for secure credential storage and access control mechanisms. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include evaluation of firmware versions and credential handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in operational technology environments.