CVE-2020-10053 in SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager (All versions < V2.12). The affected application writes sensitive data, such as database credentials in configuration files. A local attacker with access to the configuration files could use this information to launch further attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10053 resides within SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager software, specifically affecting all versions prior to V2.12. This industrial automation product is designed for wireless location tracking and positioning services within manufacturing environments. The flaw represents a critical security oversight in how the application handles sensitive information during its operational lifecycle. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of authentication credentials and database connection parameters that are persistently stored within configuration files accessible to local system users. This design flaw creates an inherent risk that directly violates security best practices for credential management and access control within industrial control systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly secure sensitive data within its configuration files. When the SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager initializes its operations, it stores database connection strings containing username and password information in plain text format within accessible file locations. This approach directly contravenes established security frameworks such as the CWE-312 weakness category, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability allows local attackers who have gained access to the system through any means to simply read these configuration files and extract the database credentials. This type of flaw aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which focuses on credentials from password files, demonstrating how local access can lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within industrial networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors within industrial environments. Once an attacker obtains the database credentials, they can potentially access sensitive operational data, modify configuration parameters, or even manipulate the positioning and tracking services that the system provides. This compromise can lead to unauthorized access to real-time location data of assets, personnel, or equipment within manufacturing facilities, potentially disrupting production processes or enabling more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems where the integrity of location data is critical for operational safety and security monitoring. Organizations implementing this software face risks of both direct data breaches and indirect operational disruptions that could compromise overall system availability and reliability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for industrial automation environments. The primary remediation involves upgrading the SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager to version V2.12 or later, which includes proper credential handling mechanisms and secure storage practices. Additionally, organizations should implement strict file access controls and permissions on configuration files to limit local access to authorized personnel only. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and helps reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring of file access attempts should be deployed to detect unauthorized access patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify similar credential exposure issues. Organizations should also consider implementing centralized credential management solutions and avoiding the storage of plaintext credentials in local configuration files, following established security guidelines from frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST Industrial Control Systems cybersecurity guidelines.