CVE-2017-9637 in Ampla MES
Summary
by MITRE
Schneider Electric Ampla MES 6.4 provides capability to interact with data from third party databases. When connectivity to those databases is configured to use a SQL user name and password, an attacker may be able to sniff details from the connection string. Schneider Electric recommends that users of Ampla MES versions 6.4 and prior should upgrade to Ampla MES version 6.5 as soon as possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9637 affects Schneider Electric Ampla MES version 6.4 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness in industrial control systems that could compromise operational technology environments. This flaw specifically manifests when the system is configured to establish database connections using SQL username and password credentials, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to intercept sensitive connection information. The vulnerability exists within the data interaction mechanisms that enable third-party database connectivity, which is a common requirement for industrial enterprise systems that need to integrate with various data sources for operational efficiency and reporting purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate protection of authentication credentials during network communication between the Ampla MES application and external database servers. When SQL authentication is configured, the connection string containing username and password information is transmitted across the network without proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This weakness allows attackers positioned within the network to capture these credentials through network sniffing techniques, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive industrial databases containing operational data, configuration information, or critical process data. The flaw aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information), both of which address the improper handling of sensitive data in network communications and storage contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the industrial control environment and potentially disrupt critical operations. Attackers could leverage stolen database credentials to access sensitive operational data, modify configuration parameters, or even manipulate process control information that could affect production quality, safety protocols, or system availability. The vulnerability particularly affects industrial environments where Ampla MES systems are deployed for manufacturing execution and enterprise resource planning integration, making it a significant concern for operational technology security. This weakness could enable adversaries to follow ATT&CK tactics such as credential access and defense evasion, potentially leading to broader system compromise within industrial control networks.
Organizations utilizing Schneider Electric Ampla MES 6.4 or earlier versions should prioritize immediate remediation through the recommended upgrade to version 6.5, which addresses this vulnerability through enhanced credential protection mechanisms. The upgrade process should include comprehensive testing to ensure compatibility with existing database configurations and integration requirements. Additional mitigations should include implementing network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general enterprise networks, deploying network monitoring tools to detect suspicious credential sniffing activities, and establishing robust network encryption protocols for all database communications. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their industrial control environments to identify other potential credential exposure points and implement principle of least privilege access controls for database connections.