CVE-2016-9360 in Proficy HMI-SCADA iFIX
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in General Electric (GE) Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX Version 5.8 SIM 13 and prior versions, Proficy HMI/SCADA CIMPLICITY Version 9.0 and prior versions, and Proficy Historian Version 6.0 and prior versions. An attacker may be able to retrieve user passwords if he or she has access to an authenticated session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9360 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple industrial control systems manufactured by General Electric. This issue impacts the Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX platform in version 5.8 SIM 13 and earlier, Proficy HMI/SCADA CIMPLICITY in version 9.0 and earlier, and Proficy Historian in version 6.0 and earlier. These systems are widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments including manufacturing facilities, energy grids, and process control operations where security is paramount. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that allow unauthorized retrieval of user credentials, creating a significant risk to operational technology environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the authentication and session management components of these industrial systems, specifically within the password storage and retrieval mechanisms. When an attacker gains access to an authenticated session, they can exploit this vulnerability to extract user passwords without requiring additional privileges or credentials. This represents a weakness in the principle of least privilege and proper credential handling, where sensitive authentication data is not adequately protected even within legitimate session contexts. The vulnerability falls under CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and demonstrates poor implementation of access control measures in industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on these GE Proficy products, as it directly compromises the security of their industrial control environments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges within the system, potentially gaining access to sensitive operational data, modifying control parameters, or disrupting critical processes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where these systems control physical processes, as compromised credentials could lead to unauthorized physical system manipulation. Organizations operating in sectors such as energy, water treatment, manufacturing, and transportation face significant risk of operational disruption or safety incidents when these systems are compromised.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions from GE, which address the password exposure issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to these systems to authorized personnel only. Regular security assessments and monitoring of authentication logs should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement multi-factor authentication where possible and establish robust credential management policies. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, emphasizing the importance of protecting authenticated sessions and preventing credential theft in industrial environments. The incident highlights the critical need for proper security practices in operational technology systems, where traditional cybersecurity measures must be adapted to address the unique challenges of industrial control environments.