CVE-2016-9353 in SUISAccess Server
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Advantech SUISAccess Server Version 3.0 and prior. The admin password is stored in the system and is encrypted with a static key hard-coded in the program. Attackers could reverse the admin account password for use.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9353 affects Advantech SUISAccess Server version 3.0 and earlier implementations, representing a critical weakness in the software's authentication mechanism. This flaw stems from the insecure storage of administrative credentials within the system's configuration files, where the password is encrypted using a static key that is embedded directly within the application code. The presence of a hard-coded encryption key creates a fundamental security flaw that undermines the entire password protection scheme, as the cryptographic strength relies entirely on the secrecy of the key rather than robust encryption algorithms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the application's failure to employ proper cryptographic practices for credential storage. According to CWE-312, this represents a weakness where sensitive data is stored in a manner that can be easily recovered by attackers who obtain access to the system. The static key approach violates established security principles for password hashing and encryption, as it provides attackers with a direct path to decrypt administrative credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential access through the exploitation of weak or hardcoded credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to the administrative interface. Attackers who successfully reverse the encrypted password can gain full control over the SUISAccess Server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, as attackers can modify configuration settings, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised administrative account to pivot to other systems within the network. This creates a significant risk for industrial control systems and network infrastructure that rely on Advantech SUISAccess Server for management functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of the SUISAccess Server software, which should employ proper password hashing mechanisms with unique salts and strong cryptographic algorithms. The remediation process should also involve changing all administrative passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and ensure that proper access controls are implemented to limit the attack surface. Additionally, system administrators should monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability provides attackers with direct access to administrative functions without requiring complex attack chains.