CVE-2017-14026 in Thermal Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
In Ice Qube Thermal Management Center versions prior to version 4.13, the web application does not properly authenticate users which may allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14026 affects Ice Qube Thermal Management Center software versions earlier than 4.13, representing a critical authentication flaw that compromises the security posture of thermal management systems. This issue resides within the web application component of the software, where insufficient user authentication mechanisms create exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of thermal monitoring and control systems that organizations rely upon for maintaining optimal environmental conditions in data centers, server rooms, and industrial facilities.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper authentication validation within the web interface, allowing attackers to bypass authorization checks and access restricted administrative functions. This weakness enables unauthorized users to perform actions such as viewing system configurations, modifying thermal settings, accessing historical data, and potentially disrupting critical cooling operations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-287, which categorizes improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. The absence of robust authentication mechanisms creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the thermal management infrastructure.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations managing critical infrastructure environments where temperature control is paramount for system stability and data integrity. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could potentially cause service disruptions by altering cooling parameters, leading to overheating of equipment and subsequent hardware failures. The impact extends beyond immediate operational concerns to include potential data breaches, compliance violations, and financial losses from system downtime or equipment damage. Organizations utilizing Ice Qube systems may face regulatory scrutiny if sensitive environmental monitoring data becomes accessible to unauthorized parties, particularly in industries governed by standards such as ISO 27001 or NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the patched version 4.13 or later, which implements proper authentication mechanisms and access controls. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their thermal management systems, review existing access controls, and implement additional security layers such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. System administrators should enforce strong password policies, implement multi-factor authentication where possible, and monitor access logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of legacy system vulnerabilities in industrial control environments, where security often takes a backseat to operational requirements but can have catastrophic impacts when exploited.