CVE-2016-8566 in SICAM PAS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Siemens SICAM PAS before 8.00. Because of Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format, an authenticated local attacker with certain privileges could possibly reconstruct the passwords of users for accessing the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8566 represents a critical security flaw in Siemens SICAM PAS software versions prior to 8.00, specifically addressing weak password storage mechanisms that expose sensitive authentication credentials to potential exploitation. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper credential storage, which is formally categorized as CWE-256 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, indicating that passwords are stored in a recoverable format rather than being properly hashed and salted. The flaw exists within the database access authentication system of the SICAM PAS platform, which is widely used in industrial control systems for power and automation applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to employ proper cryptographic practices when storing user credentials within the database. Instead of utilizing strong hashing algorithms with appropriate salt values, the system stores passwords in a format that can be easily reversed or reconstructed by an attacker who gains local access to the system. This weakness allows an authenticated local attacker with sufficient privileges to access the database storage mechanisms and potentially recover plaintext passwords from the stored credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of the industrial control system, potentially enabling unauthorized access to critical operational data and system controls.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it can facilitate broader system infiltration within industrial environments where SICAM PAS is deployed. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to database contents, potentially leading to manipulation of control parameters, disruption of operations, or exfiltration of sensitive operational data. The local authentication requirement means that attackers must already have some level of system access, but this does not diminish the severity of the impact, particularly in environments where physical or network access controls may be insufficient. The vulnerability directly relates to attack techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and persistence domains, specifically targeting the 'Credentials in Files' and 'Modify Authentication Process' tactics.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2016-8566 requires immediate implementation of proper password storage mechanisms including the adoption of strong cryptographic hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with appropriate salt values. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access controls and privilege management to limit local system access to only authorized personnel. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in industrial control systems. The mitigation approach aligns with industry best practices for secure software development and follows guidelines from standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for digital identity management and the OWASP Top Ten security framework. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential compromise activities within their industrial control environments.