CVE-2017-5158 in Wonderware InTouch
Summary
by MITRE
An Information Exposure issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere, version 11.5.2 and prior. Credentials may be exposed to external systems via specific URL parameters, as arbitrary destination addresses may be specified.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5158 represents a critical information exposure flaw within Schneider Electric Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere version 11.5.2 and earlier releases. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate URL parameters to extract sensitive authentication credentials. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user requests containing improperly validated destination addresses, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to credential information. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied parameters are not adequately sanitized before being processed or transmitted to external systems. This issue directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by potentially exposing authentication tokens, usernames, and passwords to malicious actors who can craft specific URL requests to trigger the information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to validate or sanitize URL parameters that specify destination addresses for credential transmission. When users interact with the Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere interface, the system accepts arbitrary destination addresses without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious parameters that could cause the application to expose stored credentials. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-210, which addresses information exposure through improper privilege management. The flaw essentially creates a path where authentication data flows through the application without adequate security controls to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted URLs that bypass normal authentication checks and directly access credential storage mechanisms, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5158 extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential full system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Organizations utilizing Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere in manufacturing, energy, or process control environments face significant risk when this vulnerability remains unpatched, as the exposed credentials could provide attackers with access to critical infrastructure systems. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized modification of process parameters, data manipulation, or complete system takeover, particularly in environments where these systems control physical processes. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which involves credential harvesting through social engineering or exploitation of vulnerabilities. The impact is particularly severe in industrial settings where operational technology (OT) systems are interconnected with information technology systems, creating potential attack vectors that could cascade from information systems to physical control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5158 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available version of Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere that addresses the credential exposure vulnerability. Organizations must implement strict input validation controls that sanitize all URL parameters before processing, ensuring that destination addresses are validated against a known safe list of acceptable values. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to these systems, particularly in industrial environments where the exposure of credentials could have physical security implications. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous URL parameter patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, with logging mechanisms capturing all credential-related access attempts. Additional controls include implementing secure coding practices that prevent parameter injection attacks, establishing network access controls that restrict external access to credential handling components, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for critical systems and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle credential exposure incidents in industrial control environments.