CVE-2016-5815 in ION73XX
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Schneider Electric IONXXXX series power meters ION73XX series, ION75XX series, ION76XX series, ION8650 series, ION8800 series, and PM5XXX series. No authentication is configured by default. An unauthorized user can access the device management portal and make configuration changes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5815 represents a critical security flaw in Schneider Electric's power meter series including ION73XX, ION75XX, ION76XX, ION8650, ION8800, and PM5XXX devices. This weakness stems from the absence of default authentication mechanisms within the device management portal, creating an inherent security gap that allows any unauthorized individual to gain access to critical system configuration interfaces. The flaw exists at the authentication layer and is classified under CWE-305 as "Authentication Bypass Using Alternate Path or Channel," which directly impacts the device's ability to maintain secure access controls. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems that are part of the broader Internet of Things ecosystem, specifically targeting energy management and monitoring equipment that requires robust security measures due to their critical infrastructure role.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the default configuration of Schneider Electric's power meters, where the web-based management interface remains accessible without requiring any form of user authentication. This design flaw allows remote attackers to directly access the device management portal and perform administrative functions including configuration changes, system modifications, and potentially disruptive operations. The lack of authentication controls creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves legitimate credentials used for logon and privilege escalation. The absence of default authentication means that any network-connected device can be compromised simply by accessing the management interface, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is inadequate or where devices are deployed in unsecured locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5815 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to modify critical system configurations that govern power monitoring and management functions. This capability could result in false readings, system disruptions, or even complete operational failures within industrial environments that rely on accurate power data for safety and operational decisions. The vulnerability poses significant risk to critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, utilities, and commercial facilities where power metering systems are essential for operational continuity. Attackers could potentially alter configuration settings to disable monitoring capabilities, change reporting parameters, or introduce malicious configurations that could go unnoticed for extended periods. The impact is particularly severe given that these devices are often deployed in environments where physical access is limited, making remote exploitation particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations implementing these devices face potential financial losses, operational disruptions, and increased risk of cascading failures within their power management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5815 require immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to prevent unauthorized network access to these devices. Organizations should deploy firewalls and network access control lists to restrict access to management interfaces to authorized personnel only, while also implementing strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure-by-design principles and proper default configurations in industrial control systems, as highlighted by NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security. Device administrators should conduct immediate security assessments to verify that authentication has been properly configured on all affected devices, and implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, regular firmware updates and security patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities, while network administrators should establish protocols for monitoring and logging access to critical industrial devices to ensure early detection of potential security incidents. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training for personnel responsible for maintaining industrial control systems, as default security configurations can have severe operational consequences when improperly implemented.