CVE-2017-5160 in Wonderware InTouch
Summary
by MITRE
An Inadequate Encryption Strength issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere, version 11.5.2 and prior. The software will connect via Transport Layer Security without verifying the peer's SSL certificate properly.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5160 represents a critical weakness in Schneider Electric Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere version 11.5.2 and earlier releases. This issue stems from inadequate encryption strength within the software's secure communication implementation, specifically affecting the Transport Layer Security protocol usage. The flaw manifests when the application establishes TLS connections without proper verification of the peer's SSL certificate, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-326, which addresses the weakness of inadequate encryption strength, and CWE-295, which covers improper certificate validation. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the TLS handshake phase where the software fails to validate the server certificate against trusted certificate authorities. This improper certificate validation creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept and potentially modify communications between the client and server components. The weakness exists because the application accepts connections even when certificate validation fails, allowing for potential credential theft, data manipulation, and unauthorized access to industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it compromises the fundamental security posture of industrial automation environments. InTouch Access Anywhere serves as a gateway for remote access to critical industrial processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for operational technology infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this weakness could gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially leading to process disruption, data compromise, or even physical system damage. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Schneider Electric's industrial automation solutions, particularly those in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and water treatment facilities where the integrity of control systems is paramount.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Schneider Electric Wonderware InTouch Access Anywhere version 11.5.3 or later, which addresses the certificate validation issue. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous TLS connection patterns, while security teams should implement certificate pinning mechanisms where possible. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which covers network service scanning, and T1566, which involves credential harvesting through social engineering or network attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control system environments to identify similar certificate validation weaknesses in other software components, as this represents a common pattern in industrial automation security vulnerabilities that requires systematic remediation across all networked industrial systems.