CVE-2017-7920 in VSN300 WiFi Logger Card
Summary
by MITRE
An Improper Authentication issue was discovered in ABB VSN300 WiFi Logger Card versions 1.8.15 and prior, and VSN300 WiFi Logger Card for React versions 2.1.3 and prior. By accessing a specific uniform resource locator (URL) on the web server, a malicious user is able to access internal information about status and connected devices without authenticating.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
The CVE-2017-7920 vulnerability represents a critical improper authentication flaw in ABB VSN300 WiFi Logger Card devices, specifically affecting firmware versions 1.8.15 and earlier, as well as VSN300 WiFi Logger Card for React versions 2.1.3 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the web server component of these industrial networking devices, which are commonly deployed in industrial automation and control systems environments. The flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user credentials before granting access to sensitive internal system information. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of these devices, as they should have implemented robust authentication protocols to prevent unauthorized access to their management interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct URL access to specific endpoints within the device's web server interface. A malicious actor can simply navigate to predetermined URLs without providing any authentication credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access to internal device status information and details about connected network devices. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-287, which specifically addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor access point that bypasses normal authentication procedures, allowing attackers to obtain sensitive operational data that should remain protected within the device's internal network environment. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that these devices are typically deployed in industrial settings where network security is paramount.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within industrial control systems. An attacker who gains access to the internal device status information can map the network topology, identify connected devices, and potentially escalate their attack to compromise other systems within the same network segment. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves discovering network services and hosts through network scanning and reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability essentially provides an automated reconnaissance capability to threat actors, enabling them to gather intelligence about the target environment without requiring additional attack vectors. In industrial settings, this information could be leveraged to plan more targeted attacks against critical infrastructure components, potentially leading to operational disruptions or safety hazards.
Organizations deploying ABB VSN300 WiFi Logger Card devices should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to firmware versions that contain proper authentication mechanisms and access controls. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual access patterns to these devices, particularly unauthorized access attempts to web interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and regular security assessments of industrial devices, as outlined in NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to these devices to only authorized personnel and systems, thereby reducing the attack surface and potential impact of such authentication bypass vulnerabilities.