CVE-2018-12634 in Scada
Summary
by MITRE
CirCarLife Scada v4.2.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for the html/log or services/system/info.html URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12634 affects CirCarLife Scada version 4.2.4, a supervisory control and data acquisition system designed for industrial environments. This particular flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper access controls and lack of input validation for specific URI endpoints, specifically targeting the html/log and services/system/info.html paths. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-200, which encompasses information exposure vulnerabilities where systems inadvertently reveal sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The affected system architecture likely employs a web-based interface for monitoring and control operations, making it susceptible to direct web-based exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms by directly accessing specific URI endpoints that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. When an attacker sends a properly crafted HTTP request to the html/log or services/system/info.html paths, the system responds with detailed system information including logs, configuration data, and potentially sensitive operational parameters. This exposure occurs due to insufficient authorization checks and inadequate input sanitization within the web application layer. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security by design principles where the application fails to enforce proper access controls for sensitive system resources, enabling unauthenticated information disclosure. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal effort from threat actors and can be executed through standard web browsing tools or automated scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent attacks within the industrial control system environment. The exposed information may include system logs containing operational details, configuration files that reveal system architecture, and potentially credentials or network information that could facilitate further compromise. This vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of industrial environments where CirCarLife Scada systems are deployed, as it allows adversaries to gather intelligence without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or privileged access. The disclosure of system information can enable attackers to map network topology, identify system vulnerabilities, and plan more sophisticated attacks targeting the industrial control infrastructure. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the information gathering phase, where adversaries collect system information to inform their attack strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12634 should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms within the web application layer. Organizations should immediately restrict access to sensitive URI endpoints through proper authentication and authorization checks, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access system logs and configuration information. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the affected system to trusted networks and IP addresses only. The system should be updated to the latest available version of CirCarLife Scada that includes proper access control implementations and input validation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on unusual access patterns targeting the vulnerable URI endpoints. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws within industrial control systems, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth approaches. This vulnerability underscores the importance of applying security controls throughout the industrial control system lifecycle, particularly in environments where operational technology systems are exposed to external networks.