CVE-2016-4502 in 8832 Data Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Environmental Systems Corporation (ESC) 8832 Data Controller 3.02 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and execute arbitrary functions via a modified parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4502 affects Environmental Systems Corporation ESC 8832 Data Controller version 3.02 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the device's access control mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the controller's communication protocols, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted parameter modifications. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization framework, allowing malicious actors to circumvent intended security boundaries and gain unauthorized access to system functions that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input sanitization and parameter validation, which falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation." The controller's web interface or API endpoints fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them, enabling attackers to inject modified values that alter the intended execution flow. This weakness permits remote code execution through parameter manipulation, where attackers can modify specific parameters to trigger privileged operations or bypass authentication checks entirely. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial control systems and building automation environments where the ESC 8832 Data Controller is deployed. The ability to execute arbitrary functions remotely means that attackers can manipulate environmental controls, potentially causing physical damage to facilities, disrupting operations, or creating safety hazards. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or even cause system failures that could lead to environmental or safety issues. Organizations relying on such controllers for critical infrastructure management face significant exposure to both cyber attacks and operational disruptions.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can leverage the flaw to gain elevated system privileges and maintain persistent access. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors can target these devices from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation. Security professionals should consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous parameter modifications and unauthorized access attempts. The recommended mitigation strategy includes immediate firmware updates to the latest available version from Environmental Systems Corporation, along with network segmentation and access control policies that limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and regular security assessments can help identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system integrity.