CVE-2017-7933 in IP Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
In ABB IP GATEWAY 3.39 and prior, some configuration files contain passwords stored in plain-text, which may allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7933 affects ABB IP GATEWAY versions 3.39 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial control systems infrastructure. This weakness stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the device's configuration management framework, where passwords are stored in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. The vulnerability resides in the configuration file storage mechanism of the IP gateway, which serves as a critical communication bridge between industrial networks and external systems. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with access to the device's file system or network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the storage of administrative and network authentication credentials in unencrypted format within configuration files that are accessible to local users or attackers who have gained system-level access. When an attacker successfully compromises the device or gains access to its file system, they can directly read these plaintext passwords without requiring additional cryptographic attacks or brute force attempts. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials in cleartext format. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to industrial control systems that could potentially lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker can use these credentials to establish persistent access to networked industrial equipment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7933 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of industrial control systems. Attackers can leverage these plaintext passwords to gain unauthorized access to networked industrial devices, potentially leading to system disruption, data manipulation, or complete control over critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation, where adversaries can use stolen credentials to move laterally within industrial networks. This weakness is especially concerning in industrial environments where network segmentation may be limited, allowing attackers to use compromised credentials to access multiple systems within the same network segment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through simple file system access or network reconnaissance, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where security awareness may be limited. Organizations using ABB IP GATEWAY 3.39 or earlier versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their industrial control systems, potentially leading to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the security design of industrial communication devices, where the assumption of physical security or network isolation is often violated in practice. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to versions that properly encrypt credentials, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and regular security assessments to identify similar credential storage weaknesses in industrial control system infrastructure. Organizations should also implement robust access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential misuse within their industrial environments.