CVE-2017-14007 in MultiFLEX M10a Controller
Summary
by MITRE
An Insufficient Session Expiration issue was discovered in ProMinent MultiFLEX M10a Controller web interface. The user's session is available for an extended period beyond the last activity, allowing an attacker to reuse an old session for authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerability in ProMinent MultiFLEX M10a Controller represents a critical weakness in the web interface's session management mechanism. This flaw allows authenticated users to maintain active sessions far beyond the expected timeout period, creating persistent access vectors that significantly compromise system security. The vulnerability specifically affects the controller's web-based management interface, which is commonly used for configuring and monitoring industrial processes in various manufacturing environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session timeout mechanisms within the web application layer. When users authenticate to the ProMinent MultiFLEX M10a Controller, the system should enforce strict session expiration policies based on inactivity periods or predefined time limits. However, the controller fails to properly terminate sessions after a reasonable timeframe, allowing attackers to leverage stolen or previously obtained session tokens for unauthorized access. This behavior directly violates security best practices outlined in owasp session management guidelines and aligns with CWE-613, which addresses Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication and authorization components of the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with prolonged opportunities to exploit the system. Industrial control systems like the ProMinent MultiFLEX M10a are often deployed in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access can lead to operational disruptions, data compromise, or even physical safety risks. An attacker who gains access through an extended session can perform administrative functions, modify system configurations, or potentially disrupt production processes without detection. This vulnerability particularly affects the industrial internet of things (IIoT) security landscape, where the persistence of session tokens can enable lateral movement within networked industrial systems and create persistent backdoors for attackers.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper session management policies within the web interface. Organizations should configure the controller to enforce strict session timeouts, typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes of inactivity, and implement automatic session termination upon user logout. The system should also incorporate mechanisms to detect and prevent session hijacking attempts, including secure cookie attributes and proper session token generation. Network segmentation and access controls should complement these application-level fixes to limit exposure. According to the mitre ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation and persistence tactics, as attackers can maintain access beyond normal session lifecycles and potentially establish long-term footholds within industrial control networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that session management configurations are properly enforced and that no similar vulnerabilities exist in other industrial control system components.