CVE-2016-2298 in WEB'log
Summary
by MITRE
Meteocontrol WEB'log Basic 100, Light, Pro, and Pro Unlimited allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive cleartext information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2298 affects Meteocontrol WEB'log series devices including Basic 100, Light, Pro, and Pro Unlimited models. This security flaw represents a significant information disclosure risk that enables remote attackers to access sensitive cleartext data without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack surfaces within the device's network communication protocols or configuration interfaces.
This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can be classified as CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems. The cleartext nature of the exposed information indicates that sensitive data is transmitted or stored without proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms, making it readily accessible to any attacker who can establish network connectivity to the affected device. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in data handling and transmission protocols that violate fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the cleartext information could include credentials, configuration parameters, system identifiers, or other sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially use the exposed information to conduct privilege escalation attacks, gain deeper system access, or perform targeted exploitation against other connected systems. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which focuses on discovering system information, and T1566, which covers credential access through various vectors. The attack surface for this vulnerability likely includes web interfaces, API endpoints, or network services that handle sensitive data transmission. Organizations using these devices face increased risk of compromise, particularly in environments where network segmentation is inadequate or where the devices are directly exposed to untrusted networks.
Recommended mitigations for CVE-2016-2298 should focus on implementing proper encryption mechanisms for data transmission and storage, conducting thorough security audits of network interfaces, and ensuring that all sensitive information is protected through appropriate cryptographic controls. Device vendors should provide firmware updates that address the information disclosure vulnerability, while network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such exposure of sensitive cleartext information.