CVE-2018-5728 in Sea Tel
Summary
by MITRE
Cobham Sea Tel 121 build 222701 devices allow remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a /cgi-bin/getSysStatus request, as demonstrated by the Latitude/Longitude of the ship, or satellite details.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5728 affects Cobham Sea Tel 121 communication devices running build 222701, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited remotely by threat actors. This vulnerability resides within the device's web interface implementation and specifically targets the /cgi-bin/getSysStatus request handler which is designed to provide system status information to authorized users. The flaw represents a critical security oversight in the device's access control mechanisms, as it fails to properly validate or authenticate requests made to this particular endpoint, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive operational data without requiring any credentials or privileged access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate access control implementation. The /cgi-bin/getSysStatus endpoint appears to be exposed without proper authentication requirements, enabling attackers to directly query the system for operational parameters that should remain confidential. The specific information disclosed includes geographical positioning data such as latitude and longitude coordinates, along with satellite configuration details that are typically restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system security design. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with critical intelligence about the device's location and communication capabilities, which can be leveraged for further targeting or exploitation activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can significantly compromise the security posture of maritime communication systems. The exposure of precise geographical coordinates and satellite details provides attackers with valuable intelligence for targeting specific vessels or communication nodes within maritime operations. This information can be used to plan physical attacks, conduct surveillance operations, or identify potential targets for more sophisticated cyber attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized parties to access sensitive operational data that should remain protected. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1082, which involves discovering information about the system environment, and T1566, which covers the initial access phase of reconnaissance activities. The exposure of such data can be particularly damaging in naval or commercial maritime contexts where operational security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all system status endpoints, including the /cgi-bin/getSysStatus handler. Network administrators should ensure that access to such endpoints is restricted through proper authentication and authorization controls, preventing unauthenticated access to sensitive information. The device should be configured to require valid credentials before allowing access to system status information, and network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these critical endpoints. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, particularly in embedded web interfaces that may expose system information without proper access controls. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unauthorized access attempts to these endpoints, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those operating in critical infrastructure environments where the exposure of operational details can have significant security implications.