CVE-2019-15859 in DIRIS A-40
Summary
by MITRE
Password disclosure in the web interface on socomec DIRIS A-40 devices before 48250501 allows a remote attacker to get full access to a device via the /password.jsn URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15859 represents a critical password disclosure flaw affecting socomec DIRIS A-40 devices running firmware versions prior to 48250501. This weakness resides within the device's web interface implementation and exposes sensitive authentication credentials through an improperly secured API endpoint. The vulnerability specifically affects the /password.jsn URI which serves password information without adequate authentication or authorization controls, creating an avenue for remote exploitation that bypasses normal security mechanisms.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control measures implemented in the web server component of the DIRIS A-40 device. When a remote attacker accesses the /password.jsn URI, the system returns password data in json format without requiring any form of authentication or session validation. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation. The flaw essentially provides an open door for any remote attacker to obtain administrative credentials, effectively eliminating the need for additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables full administrative control over the affected devices. Once an attacker obtains the password through the exposed endpoint, they can perform any administrative function including configuration changes, firmware updates, user management, and access to all device monitoring capabilities. This complete compromise undermines the security posture of any network infrastructure relying on these devices, as they serve as potential entry points for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems environments where these devices may be used for critical power management and monitoring functions.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, though the latter is less applicable given the automated nature of the exploitation. The vulnerability also relates to T1046 for network service scanning and T1562 for disabling security services, as attackers may use the compromised credentials to disable additional security measures. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for access to the vulnerable URI, and establishing robust patch management processes to ensure timely firmware updates. The remediation approach must include immediate firmware upgrades to version 48250501 or later, along with comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should review all similar web interfaces within their infrastructure for analogous access control weaknesses and implement proper authentication mechanisms across all API endpoints to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in other systems.