CVE-2019-18333 in SPPA-T3000 Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SPPA-T3000 Application Server (All versions). An attacker with network access to the Application Server could gain access to filenames on the server by sending specifically crafted packets to 8090/tcp. Please note that an attacker needs to have network access to the Application Server in order to exploit this vulnerability. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18333 affects the SPPA-T3000 Application Server, a critical component in industrial automation environments that serves as a central platform for managing and monitoring complex industrial processes. This particular weakness resides within the server's network communication handling mechanisms, specifically on the default listening port 8090/tcp which is commonly used for application server communications. The vulnerability represents a significant security concern for industrial control systems where unauthorized access to system information can lead to cascading security failures. The affected system operates in environments where operational technology (OT) security is paramount, making this exposure particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the server's file structure and potentially enable further exploitation attempts.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient input validation mechanism within the SPPA-T3000 Application Server's network protocol handling. When specifically crafted network packets are sent to the designated port 8090/tcp, the server responds by revealing internal filenames and potentially directory structures without proper authentication or authorization checks. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which describes weaknesses that expose information to an unauthorized actor, and represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability does not require authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who only need network connectivity to the target system, without requiring valid credentials or elevated privileges. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that any entity with access to the network segment where the Application Server operates can potentially exploit this weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a reconnaissance opportunity for attackers to map the server's file system structure and potentially identify sensitive files or directories that might contain configuration data, credentials, or other valuable information. This weakness could enable attackers to escalate their operations by identifying files that might contain authentication tokens, database connection strings, or other sensitive data that could be used for further compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects industrial environments where the SPPA-T3000 platform is deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring and control, where such information disclosure could lead to operational disruption or even physical security risks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gather Victim Host Information) as attackers could use this information to plan more targeted attacks against the industrial control system environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18333 should focus on network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of the vulnerable Application Server to unauthorized network access. Organizations should implement firewall rules that restrict access to port 8090/tcp to only trusted network segments and authorized personnel. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns on the affected port. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of securing industrial control system components and demonstrates how seemingly minor information disclosure issues can create significant security risks in operational technology environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control system components, as the SPPA-T3000 platform represents a common target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial automation environments.