CVE-2020-11643 in GateManager 4260
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2020
An information disclosure vulnerability in B&R GateManager 4260 and 9250 versions
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2020
The information disclosure vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11643 affects B&R GateManager versions 4260 and 9250, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive system information to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability resides within the industrial automation and control systems domain, where B&R GateManager serves as a crucial component for network communication and data management in industrial environments. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of system information that should remain protected, creating potential pathways for attackers to gain insights into the underlying infrastructure and operational parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient input validation mechanisms within the GateManager software. When the system processes certain requests or queries, it fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to internal system details, allowing malicious actors to extract confidential information through crafted requests. This represents a classic example of improper information access control, aligning with CWE-200 which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system internals.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, creating significant risks for industrial control systems and operational technology environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gather critical system information including network configurations, device identifiers, software versions, and potentially operational parameters that could inform more sophisticated attacks. This information can be leveraged for privilege escalation, lateral movement, and targeted attacks against the industrial infrastructure. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, potentially enabling attackers to understand system weaknesses and plan more effective exploitation strategies.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate patch management should be prioritized, with organizations updating to versions of B&R GateManager that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to query system information that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the industrial control system environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under information gathering techniques, specifically targeting the collection of system information that could be used for further compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems and conducting regular security awareness training for personnel managing industrial control systems to recognize potential exploitation attempts.