CVE-2018-5467 in Belden Hirschmann
Summary
by MITRE
An Information Exposure Through Query Strings in GET Request issue was discovered in Belden Hirschmann RS, RSR, RSB, MACH100, MACH1000, MACH4000, MS, and OCTOPUS Classic Platform Switches. An information exposure through query strings vulnerability in the web interface has been identified, which may allow an attacker to impersonate a legitimate user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-5467 represents a critical information exposure flaw affecting multiple industrial network switch platforms from Belden Hirschmann. This issue manifests within the web interface of affected devices including RS, RSR, RSB, MACH100, MACH1000, MACH4000, MS, and OCTOPUS Classic Platform Switches. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of query strings within GET requests, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure that could significantly compromise network security posture.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web server component of these industrial switches. When users make GET requests to the web interface, query parameters containing sensitive information are processed without proper security controls. This allows attackers to manipulate URL parameters to extract confidential data such as authentication tokens, session identifiers, or configuration details that should remain protected. The vulnerability essentially permits information leakage through the web interface's request handling mechanism, where query string parameters are not properly filtered or validated before being processed or returned in responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized access. An attacker exploiting this flaw could potentially impersonate legitimate users by capturing and reusing session tokens or other authentication-related data present in query strings. This capability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the web interface and could lead to complete system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities. The affected platforms operate in critical infrastructure environments where such information exposure could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to network management functions, potentially disrupting operations or enabling further attacks against the broader network ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5467 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web interface components of affected switches. Network administrators should ensure that query string parameters are thoroughly validated and that sensitive information is not transmitted through URL parameters. The implementation of web application firewalls and security headers can help prevent unauthorized access attempts, while regular firmware updates from the vendor should be prioritized to address the root cause. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK perspective under the information gathering and credential access phases, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within industrial control systems and compromise operational technology environments. Organizations should conduct thorough network assessments to identify affected devices and implement immediate remediation measures while monitoring for potential exploitation attempts.