CVE-2017-7906 in IP Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
In ABB IP GATEWAY 3.39 and prior, the web server does not sufficiently verify that a request was performed by the authenticated user, which may allow an attacker to launch a request impersonating that user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7906 affects ABB IP GATEWAY version 3.39 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. This issue stems from insufficient verification mechanisms within the web server component that handles user authentication requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management and authentication validation processes, where the system fails to properly validate that incoming requests originate from authenticated users, thereby allowing unauthorized access to system functions and data.
The technical flaw manifests as a weakness in the web server's authentication flow where session tokens or authentication credentials are not adequately validated before granting access to protected resources. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication checks as classified by CWE-287, which specifically addresses scenarios where authentication mechanisms are improperly implemented or insufficiently enforced. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate authentication requests and impersonate legitimate users, effectively bypassing the security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to the system's administrative and operational functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial environments where ABB IP GATEWAY systems are deployed, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and process control systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to system configuration settings, operational data, and control functions that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. The impact extends beyond simple data access, as the ability to impersonate authenticated users could enable attackers to modify system parameters, disrupt operations, or escalate privileges within the industrial control environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and privilege escalation domains, where attackers can leverage weak authentication mechanisms to establish persistent access to industrial control systems. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where operational technology (OT) systems are connected to corporate networks, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to move laterally within the network and compromise additional systems. Organizations implementing ABB IP GATEWAY solutions should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority risk that requires immediate attention.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7906 should include immediate deployment of vendor-provided security patches and updates to the ABB IP GATEWAY software to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to unauthorized network access. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of authentication events to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify and remediate similar authentication weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust authentication mechanisms in industrial environments where system integrity and operational security are paramount considerations for maintaining critical infrastructure resilience against cyber threats.