CVE-2019-6855 in EcoStruxure Geo SCADA Expert
Summary
by MITRE
An Improper Authorization - CWE-285 vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure� Control Expert V14.0 and all versions of Unity Pro (previously calledEcoStruxure� Control Expert), which could allow a bypass of the authentication process between EcoStruxure Control Expert and the controller.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6855 represents a critical improper authorization flaw classified under CWE-285 within EcoStruxure Control Expert V14.0 and all previous versions of Unity Pro. This weakness specifically targets the authentication mechanisms that govern the communication between the engineering workstation and the industrial controller, creating a significant security gap in the operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass the standard authentication process, potentially gaining unauthorized access to critical control systems without proper credentials.
This authorization bypass vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user credentials and access rights within the software's authentication framework. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to establish connections with controllers, enabling malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability affects the entire ecosystem of EcoStruxure Control Expert and Unity Pro platforms, which are widely deployed in industrial environments for process control and automation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain access to controller configurations, modify operational parameters, or disrupt industrial processes without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate critical industrial processes and compromise the integrity of control systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it allows adversaries to operate under legitimate user credentials while bypassing authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could enable attackers to establish long-term access to industrial control systems, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions or safety hazards. Organizations relying on these platforms face elevated risk of industrial espionage, process manipulation, or system compromise that could affect production continuity and safety protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6855 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor to address the authorization bypass flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit direct communication between engineering workstations and controllers, reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments and monitoring of authentication logs should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and privilege separation to minimize the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices in industrial control environments, as outlined in NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443 standards for industrial automation and control systems security.