CVE-2020-6982 in WIN-PAK
Summary
by MITRE
In Honeywell WIN-PAK 4.7.2, Web and prior versions, the header injection vulnerability has been identified, which may allow remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The vulnerability identified in Honeywell WIN-PAK 4.7.2 and prior versions represents a critical header injection flaw that exposes systems to remote code execution risks. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the web interface components of the software, where user-supplied data is improperly sanitized before being processed in HTTP headers. The vulnerability manifests when malicious actors exploit the lack of proper header sanitization to inject arbitrary headers into HTTP responses, potentially enabling them to manipulate application behavior and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
From a technical perspective, the header injection vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious content into HTTP headers through crafted input fields within the web interface. This flaw typically occurs when the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into HTTP headers used for communication between the web server and client applications. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its potential to enable remote code execution, as attackers can manipulate header values to redirect traffic, inject malicious content, or bypass security controls that depend on proper header validation. This represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and demonstrates a failure in input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access to industrial control systems. Honeywell WIN-PAK systems are commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments where operational technology (OT) security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations managing manufacturing processes, chemical plants, or other industrial facilities. The remote code execution capability allows threat actors to potentially compromise entire industrial networks, disrupt operations, or even cause physical damage to equipment through malicious code execution within the control environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available vendor patches, implementing network segmentation to isolate affected systems, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious header injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-113, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in HTTP headers, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit via web shell and T1059 for command and script interpreter. Additional protective measures include regular security assessments, monitoring for unusual header patterns, and implementing robust input validation across all web interfaces. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web services and implementing strict access controls to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation attempts.