CVE-2020-6779 in FSM-2500
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2021
Use of Hard-coded Credentials in the database of Bosch FSM-2500 server and Bosch FSM-5000 server up to and including version 5.2 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to log into the database with admin-privileges. This may result in complete compromise of the confidentiality and integrity of the stored data as well as a high availability impact on the database itself. In addition, an attacker may execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6779 represents a critical security flaw affecting Bosch FSM-2500 and FSM-5000 server systems running firmware versions up to and including 5.2. This weakness stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the database configuration, specifically manifesting as hard-coded administrative credentials that remain unchanged across deployments. The flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of these industrial control systems by providing attackers with persistent access credentials that bypass normal authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of hardcoded administrative usernames and passwords within the database configuration files or codebase of the affected Bosch servers. These credentials are typically embedded during the manufacturing process or software deployment and are never updated or rotated in production environments. The presence of such hard-coded credentials creates a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of system updates or security policy changes. This design flaw directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.1.001 for valid accounts and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a comprehensive compromise of the affected systems. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this weakness to gain administrative privileges within the database, effectively granting them complete control over all stored information. This level of access enables attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive data, resulting in significant confidentiality and integrity breaches. The vulnerability's potential for executing arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system elevates the threat level substantially, as it allows attackers to escalate their privileges beyond database access and potentially compromise the entire server infrastructure. This arbitrary code execution capability creates pathways for lateral movement within network environments and can facilitate further attacks against connected systems.
The availability impact of CVE-2020-6779 is particularly severe as attackers can potentially cause denial of service conditions by corrupting database structures or executing resource-intensive operations that degrade system performance. The compromised database integrity means that attackers can manipulate stored data to create false reports, alter operational parameters, or corrupt critical information that industrial processes depend upon. Organizations relying on these Bosch servers for industrial control or monitoring functions face significant operational risks, as the vulnerability can lead to production disruptions, safety hazards, or compliance violations. The remote exploitation aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the network, making traditional perimeter security measures ineffective against this specific threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-6779 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Bosch to address the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations must implement network segmentation to isolate affected systems from critical network segments and apply strict access controls to limit potential attack surfaces. Regular security assessments should include verification of credential management practices and automated scanning for hardcoded credentials in system configurations. The remediation process should involve replacing hardcoded credentials with dynamically generated authentication tokens or implementing robust credential rotation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized database access attempts and implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Given the industrial nature of these systems, operational continuity must be balanced with security requirements through careful change management processes and backup restoration procedures to ensure system availability while addressing the security flaw.