CVE-2019-18243 in HMI-SCADA iFIX
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2021
HMI/SCADA iFIX (Versions 6.1 and prior) allows a local authenticated user to modify system-wide iFIX configurations through the registry. This may allow privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18243 affects HMI/SCADA iFIX systems running versions 6.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of industrial control systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the configuration management mechanisms within iFIX software, which is widely deployed in industrial environments for human machine interface and supervisory control applications. The flaw resides in how the system handles registry modifications, creating a pathway for local authenticated users to manipulate system-wide configurations that should normally be restricted to administrators or privileged entities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and privilege separation within the iFIX application architecture. When a local user authenticates to the system, they can leverage specific registry manipulation functions to alter critical configuration parameters that govern system behavior and security settings. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector where user-level access can be leveraged to gain elevated system privileges. The registry modification capability allows attackers to change fundamental system parameters, potentially enabling them to bypass security controls, modify operational procedures, or establish persistent access mechanisms within the industrial control environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial control systems. In industrial environments where iFIX systems manage critical infrastructure operations, unauthorized configuration changes can lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire system configuration, potentially allowing attackers to modify alarm settings, change access controls, or alter process control parameters that could result in dangerous operational conditions. This risk is particularly severe in environments where industrial safety systems and process control are critical to facility operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for iFIX versions 6.1 and earlier, which address the registry access control issues. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit local access to iFIX systems, while monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized registry modifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system binary modification. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in industrial control systems, and system administrators should maintain strict access controls and audit trails for all registry modifications to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the industrial control environment.