CVE-2016-9347 in SE4801T0X
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Emerson SE4801T0X Redundant Wireless I/O Card V13.3, and SE4801T1X Simplex Wireless I/O Card V13.3. DeltaV Wireless I/O Cards (WIOC) running the firmware available in the DeltaV system, release v13.3, have the SSH (Secure Shell) functionality enabled unnecessarily.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9347 affects Emerson DeltaV Wireless I/O Cards including the SE4801T0X Redundant Wireless I/O Card and SE4801T1X Simplex Wireless I/O Card versions 13.3. These industrial control devices operate within critical infrastructure environments where secure remote access is essential for system management and maintenance operations. The flaw resides in the firmware implementation of the DeltaV system, specifically within the wireless I/O card components that are integral to industrial automation and control systems. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it exposes unnecessary network services that could be exploited by unauthorized parties to gain access to industrial control environments.
The technical flaw manifests through the unnecessary enabling of SSH functionality on these industrial devices. SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol that provides secure remote access to systems, but when enabled without proper authorization or security controls, it creates an attack surface that adversaries can exploit. The vulnerability stems from the default configuration of the firmware where SSH services are activated even when they are not required for the device's operational functions. This misconfiguration allows potential attackers to establish secure connections to the affected devices, potentially enabling them to execute commands, access sensitive data, or manipulate industrial processes. The issue aligns with CWE-668, which describes "Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere" where a resource is made available to entities that should not have access to it. The default SSH enablement violates the principle of least privilege and creates an unnecessary attack vector within industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of industrial control systems. In industrial environments where these devices are deployed, unauthorized access could lead to process manipulation, data theft, or disruption of critical operations. The exposure of SSH services on wireless I/O cards creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where industrial control systems are connected to corporate networks or the internet, as it provides an entry point for lateral movement within the industrial network infrastructure. This weakness could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access configuration files, or even cause physical damage to industrial processes through manipulation of control signals. The potential for cascading effects increases when considering that these devices often serve as communication endpoints between various industrial components and may be used to access other connected systems within the operational technology environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by disabling unnecessary SSH services on affected devices and ensuring proper network segmentation between industrial control systems and corporate networks. The recommended approach includes configuring the devices to disable SSH functionality when it is not required for operational purposes, implementing network access controls to restrict SSH access to authorized personnel only, and establishing proper firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, regular firmware updates and security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management in industrial environments and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1021.004, which covers remote services such as SSH and Telnet. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized SSH connection attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system security incidents. Proper security awareness training for industrial control system operators and administrators is essential to prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in the future.