CVE-2018-14805 in eSOMS
Summary
by MITRE
ABB eSOMS version 6.0.2 may allow unauthorized access to the system when LDAP is set to allow anonymous authentication, and specific key values within the eSOMS web.config file are present. Both conditions are required to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14805 affects ABB eSOMS version 6.0.2 and represents a significant security weakness that could enable unauthorized system access. This issue specifically manifests when the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) configuration permits anonymous authentication while certain critical key values exist within the eSOMS web.config file. The vulnerability requires both conditions to be met simultaneously for successful exploitation, indicating a complex attack vector that relies on specific misconfigurations within the application's security framework. The ABB eSOMS platform is designed for industrial automation and monitoring systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology environments where security is paramount.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of authentication mechanisms within the eSOMS application. When LDAP anonymous authentication is enabled, the system should enforce strict access controls and validation procedures to prevent unauthorized access. However, the presence of specific key values in the web.config file creates a configuration weakness that bypasses normal authentication checks. This configuration issue essentially allows attackers to establish connections without proper credentials, undermining the fundamental security model of the application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication and authorization components, making it a direct threat to the system's integrity and confidentiality. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms, specifically CWE-287 which deals with improper handling of authentication tokens and credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially compromising entire industrial control systems that rely on ABB eSOMS for monitoring and management. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain administrative privileges, modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt critical processes within industrial environments. The implications are particularly severe in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and process control where the integrity of monitoring systems directly affects operational safety and business continuity. The vulnerability could enable attackers to perform lateral movement within network segments, escalate privileges, and potentially cause operational disruptions that could result in financial losses or safety hazards. Organizations using this software in production environments face significant risk if proper security configurations are not implemented and maintained.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14805 require immediate configuration changes to address both required conditions for exploitation. System administrators must disable anonymous LDAP authentication and carefully review the web.config file to ensure that no vulnerable key values remain. The recommended approach involves implementing strict authentication policies that require valid credentials for all system access attempts. Security hardening procedures should include regular configuration audits, automated vulnerability scanning, and continuous monitoring of authentication attempts. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under credential access and privilege escalation techniques, emphasizing the need for robust access control measures. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, and comprehensive security awareness training should be provided to personnel responsible for maintaining these critical systems.