CVE-2018-7500 in PI Web API
Summary
by MITRE
A Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls issue was discovered in OSIsoft PI Web API versions 2017 R2 and prior. Privileges may be escalated, giving attackers access to the PI System via the service account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7500 represents a critical permissions and access control flaw within OSIsoft PI Web API versions 2017 R2 and earlier releases. This issue stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to escalate their access rights within the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the service account level authentication and authorization processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain elevated privileges that should remain restricted to authorized administrators. The flaw exists in the application's permission handling logic where insufficient validation occurs during authentication and authorization phases, enabling attackers to bypass normal access controls and obtain system-level privileges.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the PI Web API framework. The system does not properly validate user credentials or roles during service account access requests, allowing attackers to manipulate authentication tokens or session data to assume elevated privileges. This weakness creates an environment where standard user accounts can potentially escalate to administrative or service account levels, fundamentally compromising the security posture of the entire PI System infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that service accounts typically possess extensive system-level permissions, making them highly valuable targets for attackers seeking persistent access to industrial control systems.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-7500 extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as it directly threatens the integrity and availability of industrial automation systems that rely on OSIsoft PI Web API for data management and system monitoring. Organizations utilizing affected versions may experience unauthorized access to critical process data, potential system manipulation, and compromised operational technology environments. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to significant operational disruptions, including data integrity issues, unauthorized system modifications, and potential safety hazards in industrial environments where PI systems control critical processes. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive operational data, modify system configurations, or even disrupt industrial processes that depend on the PI System for real-time monitoring and control.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-276 Common Weakness Enumeration category, specifically addressing improper privilege management and access control mechanisms. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for lateral movement within target environments. Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to supported PI Web API versions that address the privilege escalation flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the PI Web API services, and conducting comprehensive privilege audits to identify any compromised accounts. Additionally, organizations should enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous authentication patterns and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust access control policies in industrial environments where system integrity is paramount.