CVE-2020-11596 in CIPAce
Summary
by MITRE
A Directory Traversal issue was discovered in CIPPlanner CIPAce 9.1 Build 2019092801. An unauthenticated attacker can make HTTP GET requests to a certain URL and obtain information about what files and directories reside on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11596 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within CIPPlanner CIPAce 9.1 Build 2019092801, a industrial automation software solution. This weakness allows unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted HTTP GET requests targeting specific URLs. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper path handling within the application's file access mechanisms, creating an avenue for attackers to enumerate and potentially access sensitive server files and directories without requiring authentication credentials. The affected system operates within industrial control environments where such vulnerabilities can pose significant risks to operational technology infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends HTTP GET requests to specific endpoints within the CIPAce application interface. The flaw manifests as insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly used in file system operations. When the application processes these requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input paths, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This improper handling of file paths creates a condition where the application's file access functions interpret malicious input as legitimate navigation commands, resulting in unauthorized directory listing and file access capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-11596 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive knowledge of the server's file system structure and potentially sensitive data locations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain visibility into the underlying operating system's directory hierarchy, identify configuration files, log files, and potentially executable components that may contain credentials or other sensitive information. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the attack surface and enables more sophisticated exploitation techniques, including the possibility of accessing system binaries, configuration files, or other components that could lead to further system compromise. The vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a serious concern for industrial environments where CIPAce systems are deployed, as it enables attackers to gather intelligence about the target system without requiring authentication. The implications are particularly severe in operational technology environments where system integrity and security are paramount. The vulnerability can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1083, which covers directory traversal and file enumeration activities, potentially enabling attackers to progress through multiple phases of the attack lifecycle including reconnaissance, initial access, and privilege escalation. Organizations utilizing CIPAce software should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, path sanitization, and access control restrictions to prevent unauthorized directory traversal attempts.
The remediation approach for CVE-2020-11596 requires immediate attention from system administrators and cybersecurity teams responsible for industrial control systems. The primary mitigation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed by the application's file access functions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, restricting unnecessary HTTP endpoints, and applying the latest software updates from the vendor. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control applications and systems.