CVE-2019-18868 in Remote Kiln Control
Summary
by MITRE
Blaauw Remote Kiln Control through v3.00r4 allows an unauthenticated attacker to access MySQL credentials in cleartext in /engine/db.inc, /lang/nl.bak, or /lang/en.bak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2020
This vulnerability exists in the Blaauw Remote Kiln Control software version 3.00r4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive database credentials to unauthenticated attackers. The vulnerability stems from improper configuration and lack of access controls within the web application's file structure, specifically targeting configuration files that contain database connection details in plaintext format. The affected files include engine/db.inc and language backup files lang/nl.bak and lang/en.bak, which are accessible through the web root without any authentication requirements. This configuration flaw allows attackers to directly retrieve database credentials from these files, potentially enabling them to establish unauthorized database connections and execute malicious operations against the backend database system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and CWE-312, concerning cleartext storage of sensitive information, as the credentials are stored in plain text format rather than being properly encrypted or obfuscated. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for industrial control systems and manufacturing environments that rely on the Blaauw Remote Kiln Control for process monitoring and management. The exposure of database credentials could enable attackers to manipulate production data, access sensitive operational information, or potentially disrupt manufacturing processes through database-level attacks. This vulnerability also represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as the system fails to implement proper access controls for configuration files that contain sensitive operational data. The attack surface is particularly concerning in industrial environments where such systems may be exposed to external networks or where network segmentation is inadequate, as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to gain access to backend database systems without requiring any authentication credentials.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their privileges and conduct more sophisticated attacks against the industrial control infrastructure. Attackers could leverage the exposed database credentials to perform data exfiltration, modify production parameters, or even execute unauthorized administrative operations within the database system. The presence of backup files with sensitive information further compounds the risk, as these files may contain additional credentials or configuration details that could be exploited. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the database contains operational data, process parameters, or sensitive manufacturing information that could be valuable to competitors or malicious actors. The attack pattern follows typical privilege escalation techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting credential access and persistence mechanisms that allow attackers to maintain long-term access to critical systems. Organizations using this software should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate the affected systems from external access, ensure that configuration files are properly secured with appropriate access controls, and consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and configuration management standards, particularly in industrial control environments where security controls may be less stringent than in traditional enterprise environments. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other industrial control systems and web applications that may be exposing sensitive information through improperly secured files or directories.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate attention to the configuration files containing cleartext credentials, including implementing proper file access controls and ensuring that sensitive information is not stored in easily accessible locations. Organizations should implement role-based access controls for all configuration files and ensure that database credentials are stored using appropriate encryption mechanisms rather than plaintext storage. The affected software version should be upgraded to the latest available release that addresses this specific vulnerability, as vendors typically release patches to correct such misconfigurations. Network security controls should be implemented to restrict access to the web application directories and prevent unauthorized access to configuration files. Additionally, organizations should establish comprehensive monitoring procedures to detect attempts to access sensitive files and implement automated alerts for unusual access patterns to configuration directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure configuration management in industrial control systems and underscores the need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire infrastructure. Proper implementation of information security controls, including secure file permissions, encrypted credential storage, and network segmentation, should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other industrial control systems and web applications within the organization's environment.