CVE-2020-7485 in TriStation
Summary
by MITRE
**VERSION NOT SUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED** A legacy support account in the TriStation software version v4.9.0 and earlier could cause improper access to the TriStation host machine. This was addressed in TriStation version v4.9.1 and v4.10.1 released on May 30, 2013.1
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7485 represents a critical access control flaw within TriStation industrial software systems that persisted through versions up to v4.9.0. This legacy support account mechanism created an unintended backdoor that allowed unauthorized access to host machines, fundamentally compromising the security posture of industrial control systems. The vulnerability specifically targeted the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the software, exploiting a design flaw that permitted access through a hardcoded account rather than proper user authentication protocols. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-254 which categorizes weaknesses related to security features that are not properly implemented or configured.
The technical implementation of this flaw involved a hardcoded or default account that remained active even after system deployment, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by attackers with minimal knowledge of the system. The vulnerability exploited the principle of least privilege by providing excessive access rights to a legacy support account that should have been disabled or removed from production environments. This weakness allowed attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and gain direct access to the underlying host machine, potentially enabling further exploitation and lateral movement within industrial networks. The attack surface was particularly concerning given that industrial control systems often operate in isolated environments where traditional security monitoring may be limited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple unauthorized access, as it could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes, disrupt operations, or gain persistence within critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous in industrial settings where system availability and integrity are paramount, as unauthorized access could lead to production disruptions, safety hazards, or data compromise. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access points, potentially remaining undetected for extended periods while monitoring or manipulating industrial control processes. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement and persistence within target environments.
The remediation for CVE-2020-7485 required software version updates to v4.9.1 and v4.10.1, which addressed the hardcoded account issue by implementing proper account management and access control mechanisms. Organizations needed to ensure immediate deployment of these patches to eliminate the security risk, as the vulnerability remained active in the affected versions. The fix likely involved disabling or removing the legacy support account, implementing proper authentication controls, and ensuring that default accounts were either disabled or properly secured. Security teams should have conducted comprehensive assessments of their industrial control system environments to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software versions and ensure complete remediation across all affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper account lifecycle management and the dangers of hardcoded credentials in industrial control environments.