CVE-2019-12182 in Timemoto
Summary
by MITRE
Directory Traversal in Safescan Timemoto and TA-8000 series version 1.0 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute code via the administrative API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12182 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Safescan Timemoto and TA-8000 series devices running version 1.0. This security weakness resides within the administrative API of these industrial security devices, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper path handling within the device's web interface components, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths through malicious API requests. The impact extends beyond simple data access as it provides a potential foothold for attackers to escalate privileges and compromise the entire security infrastructure of organizations relying on these devices.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic directory traversal pattern where attackers can manipulate API endpoints to access files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw manifests when the administrative API fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, enabling attackers to craft requests that traverse directory hierarchies using sequences like "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The weakness allows attackers to read sensitive files, upload malicious payloads, or execute commands on the underlying operating system, depending on the level of access granted through the administrative interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12182 extends significantly beyond traditional network security concerns as these devices are typically deployed in industrial environments where they serve as critical security controls. Organizations using Safescan Timemoto and TA-8000 series devices face potential compromise of their physical security infrastructure, which could lead to unauthorized access to restricted areas, bypass of security protocols, and disruption of critical operations. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it without requiring valid credentials, making detection and prevention particularly challenging. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a significant risk to industrial control systems where security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Safescan, as the manufacturer likely released patches addressing the directory traversal flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious API access patterns, and conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial security infrastructure. Network access controls should be enforced to restrict API access to trusted administrative networks only, while logging and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing zero-trust network architectures that validate all access requests regardless of their source, as this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create persistent security risks in industrial environments. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing security protocols and operational procedures.