CVE-2020-7227 in MRD-315
Summary
by MITRE
Westermo MRD-315 1.7.3 and 1.7.4 devices have an information disclosure vulnerability that allows an authenticated remote attacker to retrieve the source code of different functions of the web application via requests that lack certain mandatory parameters. This affects ifaces-diag.asp, system.asp, backup.asp, sys-power.asp, ifaces-wls.asp, ifaces-wls-pkt.asp, and ifaces-wls-pkt-adv.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7227 affects Westermo MRD-315 devices running firmware versions 1.7.3 and 1.7.4, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of industrial network infrastructure. This vulnerability resides within the web application interface of the device, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to access sensitive source code components that should remain protected. The flaw manifests through specific web pages including ifaces-diag.asp, system.asp, backup.asp, sys-power.asp, ifaces-wls.asp, ifaces-wls-pkt.asp, and ifaces-wls-pkt-adv.asp, which collectively represent the administrative and diagnostic interfaces of the device. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter checking mechanisms within the web application, allowing attackers to construct malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and retrieve function source code. This represents a classic example of insufficient validation of input parameters, which maps directly to CWE-20, the weakness category for improper input validation. The attack requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained access to legitimate user accounts through credential theft or other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed source code provides attackers with valuable insights into the internal implementation details of the device's web application. This information can be leveraged to identify additional attack vectors, understand the device's behavior under various conditions, and potentially discover other vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent. The source code disclosure creates a significant risk for industrial control systems, as it may reveal hard-coded credentials, internal network structures, communication protocols, and other sensitive implementation details that could be exploited to compromise the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple administrative interfaces, suggesting a systemic issue within the web application framework that could potentially impact other components beyond the specifically mentioned files. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 discovery technique, where adversaries gather information about the system and network to plan further attacks. The fact that this affects backup.asp and system.asp interfaces indicates that the vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to access configuration data, system settings, and backup files that contain sensitive operational information.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7227 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Device administrators should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as Westermo has likely released patches to resolve the parameter validation issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and parameter checking mechanisms, which should be enforced at multiple layers of the application stack. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, including implementing role-based access controls that restrict administrative functions to only necessary personnel. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar validation issues in other components of the web application. The vulnerability also underscores the need for secure coding practices, particularly in industrial network equipment where the consequences of information disclosure can be severe. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual patterns of requests to administrative interfaces, which could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, the incident demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches, as the vulnerability was likely introduced through inadequate validation of user inputs and could have been prevented through proper security testing and code review processes. The exposure of source code through web application interfaces represents a significant risk for industrial environments where operational technology systems require robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access and potential disruption of critical infrastructure operations.