CVE-2017-6053 in VTScada
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Scripting issue was discovered in Trihedral VTScada Versions prior to 11.2.26. A cross-site scripting vulnerability may allow JavaScript code supplied by the attacker to execute within the user's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6053 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Trihedral VTScada software versions prior to 11.2.26. This security weakness resides in the web-based interface component of the industrial control system platform, which is commonly used for supervisory control and data acquisition in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface, creating an exploitable condition where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by injecting JavaScript code through various input vectors such as form fields, URL parameters, or HTTP headers. When a victim browses to a specially crafted page or interacts with a maliciously constructed URL, the injected script executes within the victim's browser context, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the industrial control environment. This flaw specifically affects the web interface component that provides remote access to VTScada systems, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where industrial processes are monitored and controlled.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6053 extends beyond traditional web application security concerns due to the industrial nature of VTScada systems. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure control interfaces, manipulate process data, or execute malicious code that could disrupt industrial operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where VTScada is used for managing power generation, water treatment, or manufacturing processes, as successful exploitation could lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that VTScada systems are often accessible over the internet for remote monitoring and management, increasing the likelihood of exploitation by threat actors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to version 11.2.26 or later, which addresses the input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also conducting thorough security assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential vulnerabilities. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to VTScada systems, and strict access controls should be implemented to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with the web interface components. Additionally, security awareness training for operators and administrators is crucial to prevent social engineering attacks that may exploit this vulnerability, as the ATT&CK framework categorizes such techniques under the T1059.007 sub-technique for "Scripting" and T1566 for "Phishing" in the context of industrial control system environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting, making it a well-documented weakness that requires immediate remediation in industrial cybersecurity programs.