CVE-2017-9968 in IGSS Mobile Application
Summary
by MITRE
A security misconfiguration vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's IGSS Mobile application versions 3.01 and prior in which a lack of certificate pinning during the TLS/SSL connection establishing process can result in a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9968 represents a critical security misconfiguration within Schneider Electric's IGSS Mobile application affecting versions 3.01 and earlier. This flaw resides in the application's implementation of Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer connections where proper certificate pinning mechanisms are absent during the TLS handshake process. The absence of certificate pinning creates a significant attack vector that allows malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between the mobile application and its backend services.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's failure to validate the authenticity of SSL/TLS certificates against a predetermined set of trusted certificates or public keys. This weakness aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and certificate pinning failures. When certificate pinning is not implemented, the application relies solely on the standard certificate chain validation process which can be compromised through various means including certificate authority compromise, rogue certificate issuance, or manipulation of the certificate trust store on the client device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can completely compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of communications between the IGSS Mobile application and its servers. Attackers can establish fraudulent connections, decrypt sensitive data transmitted between the mobile client and backend systems, inject malicious content, and potentially gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems. This threat landscape is particularly concerning in industrial environments where the IGSS Mobile application likely interfaces with critical infrastructure and operational technology systems.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or network interception. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects mobile applications, making it accessible through various attack vectors including compromised Wi-Fi networks, public hotspots, or even malicious mobile applications on the same device. Organizations utilizing Schneider Electric's IGSS Mobile solution face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where industrial control systems communicate with mobile endpoints, as this vulnerability can serve as a gateway for more extensive attacks against operational technology infrastructure.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of certificate pinning mechanisms within the application, upgrading to Schneider Electric's patched versions of the IGSS Mobile application, and implementing additional network-level security controls such as network segmentation and deep packet inspection. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous TLS connection patterns that may indicate certificate validation bypass attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented security controls and identify potential additional vulnerabilities in the industrial communication ecosystem.