CVE-2016-2272 in Lighting EG2 Web Control
Summary
by MITRE
Eaton Lighting EG2 Web Control 4.04P and earlier allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a modified cookie.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2272 affects Eaton Lighting EG2 Web Control version 4.04P and earlier, representing a significant security weakness in industrial lighting control systems. This device operates as a web-based interface for managing lighting networks, and the flaw lies within its cookie handling mechanism. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate session cookies, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the lighting infrastructure. Such a weakness is particularly concerning in industrial environments where lighting control systems may be integrated with broader operational technologies and critical infrastructure management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of cookie data within the web control interface. When users interact with the EG2 Web Control system, session cookies are generated to maintain authentication state and user permissions. However, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize these cookies, allowing attackers to modify cookie contents to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access. This flaw can be classified under CWE-285: Improper Authorization, as it allows unauthorized users to assume legitimate user roles or gain elevated privileges through session manipulation. The vulnerability specifically relates to the principle of least privilege violation, where the system does not adequately enforce access controls on session tokens.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations relying on Eaton Lighting EG2 systems for their lighting infrastructure management. Remote attackers could potentially gain full administrative control over lighting systems, enabling them to modify lighting schedules, adjust brightness levels, or even disable critical lighting functions. This capability could be exploited for malicious purposes including disrupting operations, creating security vulnerabilities through strategic lighting manipulation, or as part of broader attacks targeting industrial control systems. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device, making the system particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1566.001: Phishing, as attackers might use modified cookies as part of social engineering campaigns, and T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS, if cookie manipulation is combined with DNS tunneling techniques.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by Eaton, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter cookie traffic, along with regular security audits of industrial control systems. Additional protective measures include enforcing secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, implementing proper session management protocols, and conducting regular penetration testing of industrial control environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing industrial IoT devices and web interfaces in operational technology environments, where traditional cybersecurity measures may not be sufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting these specialized systems.