CVE-2017-5155 in Wonderware Historian
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Wonderware Historian 2014 R2 SP1 P01 and earlier. Wonderware Historian creates logins with default passwords, which can allow a malicious entity to compromise Historian databases. In some installation scenarios, resources beyond those created by Wonderware Historian may be compromised as well.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5155 affects Schneider Electric Wonderware Historian version 2014 R2 SP1 P01 and earlier installations, representing a critical authentication weakness that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. This issue stems from the default configuration practices where the software automatically creates administrative accounts with hard-coded, well-known passwords that are not changed during deployment. The flaw creates an inherent security risk by providing unauthorized access vectors that persist across installations without proper security hardening. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where operational technology systems require robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access to critical data and system controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the creation of default administrative accounts that utilize predictable password credentials, allowing attackers to establish unauthorized access to the Historian database systems. These default credentials are typically documented in various security resources and can be easily discovered through routine reconnaissance activities or automated scanning tools. The flaw operates at the authentication layer and represents a violation of fundamental security principles, specifically addressing weakness categories outlined in CWE-798, which focuses on the use of hard-coded credentials, and CWE-259, concerning the use of hard-coded passwords. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors can gain administrative access to database systems, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized access to operational data, or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate compromise of Wonderware Historian databases to encompass broader system security implications within industrial environments. When attackers exploit these default credentials, they can access not only the Historian database but potentially other connected systems that share similar default configurations or are part of the same network infrastructure. This creates a cascading security risk where initial access can lead to further system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of industrial processes. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the T1078 method of valid accounts and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations implementing this software without proper credential management and access control measures face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5155 require immediate implementation of credential management practices including mandatory password changes for default accounts, enforcement of strong password policies, and regular security assessments of installed systems. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general network access and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process involves changing default administrative passwords to strong, unique credentials and ensuring that these changes are properly documented and maintained. Security hardening procedures should include disabling or removing default accounts that are not required for system operation, implementing multi-factor authentication where possible, and establishing regular security audits to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems and network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems security.