CVE-2017-7914 in Automation PanelView Plus
Summary
by MITRE
A Missing Authorization issue was discovered in Rockwell Automation PanelView Plus 6 700-1500 6.00.04, 6.00.05, 6.00.42, 6.00-20140306, 6.10.20121012, 6.10-20140122, 7.00-20121012, 7.00-20130108, 7.00-20130325, 7.00-20130619, 7.00-20140128, 7.00-20140310, 7.00-20140429, 7.00-20140621, 7.00-20140729, 7.00-20141022, 8.00-20140730, and 8.00-20141023. There is no authorization check when connecting to the device, allowing an attacker remote access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7914 represents a critical missing authorization flaw in Rockwell Automation PanelView Plus 6 series human machine interfaces that affects multiple firmware versions including 6.00.04 through 6.00.05, 6.00.42, and various 6.10, 7.00, and 8.00 releases. This weakness stems from the absence of proper authentication mechanisms when establishing connections to the industrial control device, creating a fundamental security gap in the operational technology infrastructure. The flaw specifically impacts devices running on Windows CE operating systems and is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization checks in software systems. The vulnerability exists at the network level where the device fails to validate connection requests, allowing any remote entity to establish communication without proper credentials or access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the device's lack of authentication protocols during the connection establishment phase, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for industrial control systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly connecting to the device's communication ports without providing valid credentials, effectively bypassing all access control mechanisms that should normally be enforced. This missing authorization check creates an attack surface that aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques, specifically targeting the 'T1078 Valid Accounts' and 'T1105 Remote File Copy' tactics where adversaries can gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core communication protocols of the PanelView Plus 6 devices, which are commonly used in manufacturing and process control environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant operational disruptions or safety hazards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating potential risks for industrial control system integrity and safety. When an attacker gains remote access to these devices, they can potentially manipulate control parameters, modify operational settings, or disrupt production processes without detection. The affected versions of PanelView Plus 6 are widely deployed in critical infrastructure sectors including oil and gas, water treatment, manufacturing, and power generation, where the consequences of unauthorized access could range from production downtime to safety incidents. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple firmware versions indicates a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident, suggesting that organizations may have been exposed to this risk for extended periods without proper mitigation. According to the ATT&CK framework's lateral movement techniques, once an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they can potentially escalate privileges or move laterally within the industrial network to access additional control systems. Organizations should implement network segmentation, restrict access to these devices through firewalls, and consider implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized connection attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify and remediate similar authorization gaps in operational technology environments.