CVE-2019-7280 in FlexAir
Summary
by MITRE
Prima Systems FlexAir devices have an Insufficient Session-ID Length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7280 affects Prima Systems FlexAir devices and represents a critical weakness in session management that directly impacts the security posture of networked industrial control systems. This flaw specifically targets the session identifier generation mechanism, which is fundamental to maintaining secure user authentication and session integrity within networked devices. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of session identifiers that are too short to provide adequate entropy, making them susceptible to prediction and brute force attacks that can lead to unauthorized access and session hijacking.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient length of session identifiers generated by the FlexAir devices, which typically employ session IDs that are too short to provide cryptographically secure randomness. This weakness falls under the broader category of weak session management as defined by CWE-384, where session identifiers lack sufficient entropy to prevent predictable generation patterns. The inadequate session ID length creates a predictable attack surface that allows malicious actors to enumerate valid session tokens through systematic guessing or automated tools, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to the affected devices. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in NIST SP 800-63B regarding the generation of cryptographically strong session identifiers that must provide sufficient entropy to prevent guessing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and operational disruption within industrial environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can hijack active sessions, gain administrative privileges, and potentially manipulate device configurations or access sensitive operational data. In industrial control systems where FlexAir devices are deployed, such compromises can lead to serious operational consequences including production disruptions, safety hazards, and potential security breaches that could affect critical infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects devices that are often deployed in environments where security controls may be limited and where physical access to devices is constrained.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Prima Systems to address the session ID generation weakness, along with network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Additional security measures should include implementing stronger authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication, monitoring for suspicious session activity, and regular security assessments of industrial control systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security standards such as those defined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where session management weaknesses are categorized under credential access techniques. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential session hijacking attempts and establish strict access controls that limit who can interact with these critical devices. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that similar session management weaknesses are not present in other components of the industrial control system infrastructure.