CVE-2016-4506 in Intuitive 650 TDB Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability on Resource Data Management (RDM) Intuitive 650 TDB Controller devices before 2.1.24 allows remote authenticated users to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2018
The CVE-2016-4506 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in the Resource Data Management RDM Intuitive 650 TDB Controller devices. This vulnerability affects firmware versions prior to 2.1.24 and poses a significant security risk to industrial control systems and network infrastructure. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to manipulate the authentication process and potentially gain unauthorized access to critical system functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of these devices, allowing malicious actors to hijack active sessions and impersonate legitimate users within the network environment.
This CSRF vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper anti-CSRF token validation mechanisms within the device's web interface and API endpoints. When authenticated users interact with the device's management interface, the system fails to properly validate the origin of requests, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the device. The vulnerability stems from insufficient session management and request validation controls, which are fundamental security requirements in web application security. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities in web applications and systems. The attack vector requires only that an authenticated user be tricked into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a compromised link, making the exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially devastating.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized control of critical industrial processes. Attackers could potentially modify device configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The affected RDM Intuitive 650 TDB Controller devices are commonly deployed in industrial environments where security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit the vulnerability, which significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting credential access through social engineering and web-based attacks that manipulate authentication flows.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including firmware updates to version 2.1.24 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the CSRF token validation issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and monitoring of device management interfaces are essential to detect any anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper anti-CSRF mechanisms in all web-based management interfaces of industrial control systems, as these devices often serve as critical entry points for attackers seeking to compromise larger network infrastructures. Additionally, security awareness training for personnel who interact with these management systems should be enhanced to recognize potential social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability.