CVE-2019-6554 in WebAccess SCADA
Summary
by MITRE
Advantech WebAccess/SCADA, Versions 8.3.5 and prior. An improper access control vulnerability may allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2023
The CVE-2019-6554 vulnerability affects Advantech WebAccess/SCADA software versions 8.3.5 and earlier, presenting a critical improper access control flaw that can be exploited to trigger denial-of-service conditions. This vulnerability resides within industrial control systems that are widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments including manufacturing facilities, power generation plants, and water treatment systems. The affected software serves as a supervisory control and data acquisition platform that enables remote monitoring and control of industrial processes, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to disrupt critical operations.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the WebAccess/SCADA application, specifically within its authentication and authorization frameworks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass normal access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to service disruption through resource exhaustion or system instability. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate user credentials or enforce proper access boundaries, allowing malicious actors to manipulate system behavior without proper authorization. This improper access control vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284 which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as industrial control systems often operate in environments where availability is critical for safety and operational continuity. When exploited, the denial-of-service condition can result in complete system unavailability, forcing operators to manually restart services or potentially causing cascading failures in industrial processes. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in environments where continuous operation is mandated, such as nuclear power plants, chemical processing facilities, or water treatment plants where system downtime can lead to environmental hazards or public safety risks. Organizations using affected versions may experience extended downtime while applying patches or implementing workarounds, potentially disrupting critical manufacturing processes or utility operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6554 should include immediate deployment of vendor-provided patches or updates to versions that address the access control flaw. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the WebAccess/SCADA systems to only authorized personnel and systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional access control weaknesses within industrial control system environments. Implementing multi-factor authentication and strong credential management practices can further reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Organizations should also maintain detailed monitoring of system access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments where the consequences of system compromise can be catastrophic, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize continuous monitoring and rapid response to identified threats.