CVE-2018-10590 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
In Advantech WebAccess versions V8.2_20170817 and prior, WebAccess versions V8.3.0 and prior, WebAccess Dashboard versions V.2.0.15 and prior, WebAccess Scada Node versions prior to 8.3.1, and WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3 and prior, an information exposure vulnerability through directory listing has been identified, which may allow an attacker to find important files that are not normally visible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-10590 represents a critical information exposure issue affecting multiple Advantech WebAccess products including the main WebAccess platform, WebAccess Dashboard, WebAccess Scada Node, and WebAccess/NMS components. This vulnerability stems from improper directory access controls that allow unauthorized users to enumerate and access sensitive files through directory listing mechanisms. The affected versions encompass WebAccess V8.2 and earlier releases, WebAccess V8.3.0 and prior versions, WebAccess Dashboard V2.0.15 and earlier, WebAccess Scada Node versions before 8.3.1, and WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3 and earlier releases. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate access control implementation that fails to properly restrict directory traversal and file access permissions within the web application framework.
The technical flaw manifests through directory listing functionality that exposes internal file structures and sensitive data without proper authentication or authorization checks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly accessing web directories and browsing through file systems to discover configuration files, credential stores, backup files, and other sensitive resources that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. This directory traversal vulnerability allows for comprehensive reconnaissance activities where attackers can identify potential attack vectors, extract system information, and discover additional vulnerabilities within the targeted environment. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser navigation or automated tools designed for directory enumeration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information that could lead to further compromise of the industrial control systems. The exposed files may contain system configurations, user credentials, database connection strings, or other confidential data that could enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the industrial network infrastructure. This information exposure vulnerability creates an initial foothold for attackers to conduct more sophisticated attacks including lateral movement, privilege escalation, or targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability affects industrial environments where WebAccess is deployed for SCADA and monitoring applications, potentially impacting critical infrastructure operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and directory restrictions within the WebAccess application framework. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the affected products where available, as Advantech has released updates addressing this directory listing vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to WebAccess services only to authorized personnel and systems. Additional protective measures include disabling directory listing functionality, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system web interfaces. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-548 Information Exposure Through Directory Listing and relates to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Credential Access: Credentials in Files, where attackers can obtain sensitive information through unauthorized file access and directory enumeration activities.