CVE-2019-13552 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
In WebAccess versions 8.4.1 and prior, multiple command injection vulnerabilities are caused by a lack of proper validation of user-supplied data and may allow arbitrary file deletion and remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13552 represents a critical command injection flaw within Rockwell Automation's WebAccess software suite affecting versions 8.4.1 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw exists within the web-based management interface of WebAccess, which is commonly used for industrial automation and control systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious inputs that bypass validation checks and inject arbitrary commands into the system's underlying operating environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control system environments where WebAccess is deployed for supervisory control and data acquisition applications.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the WebAccess service account. This typically occurs through improper sanitization of input parameters in web forms, API endpoints, or configuration interfaces that handle user data. When user-supplied data is directly concatenated into system commands without proper escaping or validation, attackers can manipulate the command execution flow. The vulnerability enables multiple attack vectors including arbitrary file deletion, remote code execution, and potentially complete system compromise. The lack of proper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to critical industrial infrastructure components.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13552 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant industrial control system security risks. Organizations utilizing WebAccess for critical infrastructure monitoring face potential disruption of industrial processes, data integrity compromise, and unauthorized access to operational technology environments. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to delete critical system files, install backdoors, or manipulate industrial control processes. This poses particular risk in environments where WebAccess manages SCADA systems, process control networks, or other industrial automation platforms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that many industrial organizations lack robust security monitoring for their operational technology environments, making detection and response more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13552 should prioritize immediate patching of affected WebAccess installations to version 8.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to WebAccess interfaces to authorized personnel only, and deploy intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for command injection patterns. Input validation should be strengthened through proper parameter sanitization, use of allowlists for acceptable input values, and implementation of web application firewalls. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all industrial control system environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes should be established for all operational technology systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories related to command injection and code execution flaws, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network access models for industrial control systems and establish robust incident response procedures for potential exploitation of such vulnerabilities.