CVE-2017-5152 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Advantech WebAccess Version 8.1. By accessing a specific uniform resource locator (URL) on the web server, a malicious user is able to access pages unrestricted (AUTHENTICATION BYPASS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5152 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Advantech WebAccess version 8.1, a widely deployed industrial automation and monitoring platform. This vulnerability exposes the system to unauthorized access by allowing attackers to bypass the authentication mechanism through direct URL manipulation, fundamentally undermining the security controls designed to protect industrial control systems. The flaw resides in the web server component of the software, where specific URL paths can be accessed without proper user authentication, creating an unauthorized entry point that could compromise the entire industrial network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the WebAccess web application framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly navigating to specific URLs that should normally require valid authentication credentials, thereby gaining unrestricted access to administrative and operational interfaces. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object references that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where URL-based access control is not properly enforced, enabling attackers to bypass authentication through simple web navigation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the WebAccess system and potentially the underlying industrial processes it manages. This authentication bypass allows malicious actors to modify configuration settings, access sensitive operational data, manipulate industrial control processes, and potentially cause significant disruption to critical infrastructure operations. The implications are particularly severe in industrial environments where WebAccess is commonly deployed for supervisory control and data acquisition systems, as unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to industrial equipment. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering or direct exploitation of system weaknesses.
Organizations utilizing Advantech WebAccess version 8.1 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the authentication bypass flaw. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to isolate WebAccess systems from critical industrial control networks, while access controls should be strengthened through proper firewall configuration and network access control lists. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts, and network traffic should be inspected for suspicious URL access patterns. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar authentication bypass issues in industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication, network intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to strengthen their overall industrial cybersecurity posture against similar threats.