CVE-2017-5140 in XL Web II
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Honeywell XL Web II controller XL1000C500 XLWebExe-2-01-00 and prior, and XLWeb 500 XLWebExe-1-02-08 and prior. Password is stored in clear text.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5140 represents a critical security flaw in Honeywell XL Web II controller software versions up to XL1000C500 XLWebExe-2-01-00 and XLWeb 500 XLWebExe-1-02-08. This issue resides within industrial control systems that manage critical infrastructure operations, specifically affecting the authentication mechanisms of these web-based controllers. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure credential handling practices where sensitive authentication data is stored without proper encryption or obfuscation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the controller's design decision to store user passwords in plaintext format within configuration files or memory structures. This approach directly violates established security principles and represents a CWE-312 vulnerability category, specifically classified as "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The flaw allows unauthorized individuals with access to the system files or memory dumps to immediately retrieve valid credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This clear text storage mechanism provides attackers with immediate access to administrative accounts and operational controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial control environments. Attackers who gain access to these systems can manipulate critical processes, disrupt operations, or escalate privileges to gain complete system control. The vulnerability affects industrial automation and control systems that are often deployed in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy production, and process control facilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to establish persistent access to operational technology environments. The implications are particularly severe in environments where these controllers are deployed without additional network segmentation or access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5140 require immediate attention through software updates and configuration hardening measures. Honeywell has released patches and updated firmware versions to address this vulnerability, making it essential for system administrators to implement these updates across all affected controllers. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these industrial control systems from general network access, employ multi-factor authentication mechanisms, and conduct regular security assessments of their operational technology environments. Additionally, implementing proper access control policies, regular credential rotation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security awareness in operational technology environments.