CVE-2018-13341 in TSW-X60
Summary
by MITRE
Crestron TSW-X60 all versions prior to 2.001.0037.001 and MC3 all versions prior to 1.502.0047.00, The passwords for special sudo accounts may be calculated using information accessible to those with regular user privileges. Attackers could decipher these passwords, which may allow them to execute hidden API calls and escape the CTP console sandbox environment with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13341 affects Crestron TSW-X60 and MC3 devices, specifically targeting versions prior to 2001.0037.001 and 1.502.0047.00 respectively. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanism of these industrial control systems, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for building automation and control applications. The vulnerability stems from a design flaw where the password calculation for special sudo accounts can be reverse-engineered by attackers who possess regular user privileges, effectively undermining the security model that separates standard and administrative access levels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the predictable generation of passwords for privileged accounts through information that is publicly accessible to regular users within the system. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker can compute the administrative credentials without requiring direct access to password files or other restricted system components. The flaw specifically impacts the CTP console sandbox environment, which is designed to isolate user operations and prevent unauthorized access to system-critical functions. When an attacker successfully computes these passwords, they can execute hidden API calls that are typically restricted to authorized administrative users, thereby bypassing the intended security boundaries of the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to move laterally within the network and potentially access other connected systems. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged to establish persistent access within the target environment. The affected systems operate in industrial control environments where maintaining security boundaries is critical for operational technology infrastructure, and this vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to manipulate building automation systems, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt critical processes. Organizations using these devices face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to system-level functions that should only be available to authorized administrators.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading all affected Crestron TSW-X60 and MC3 devices to the patched versions 2.001.0037.001 and 1.502.0047.00 respectively, which address the password generation algorithm and implement proper cryptographic methods for privilege account management. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual API call patterns or privilege escalation attempts within their control environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-257, which addresses the storage of passwords in a recoverable format, and represents a significant concern for organizations implementing cybersecurity measures in industrial environments where the potential for physical and digital attacks on critical infrastructure exists.