CVE-2020-7573 in EcoStruxure Building Operation WebReports
Summary
by MITRE • 11/20/2020
A CWE-284 Improper Access Control vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure Building Operation WebReports V1.9 - V3.1 that could cause a remote attacker being able to access a restricted web resources due to improper access control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7573 represents a critical improper access control flaw classified under CWE-284 within the EcoStruxure Building Operation WebReports software versions 1.9 through 3.1. This vulnerability exposes a fundamental weakness in the application's authorization mechanisms, allowing remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to protected web resources. The affected system operates within building automation environments where web-based reporting interfaces provide administrative and operational data access to authorized personnel only. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive resources, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and access confidential building operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the web application's resource access control framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal authentication and authorization workflows, potentially gaining access to reports, configuration settings, user management interfaces, and other sensitive operational data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the web application layer, where attackers can leverage network-based attacks without requiring physical access to the building automation systems. The improper access control mechanism allows unauthorized users to navigate directly to restricted pages or execute privileged operations that should only be available to authenticated administrators, creating a significant security risk in industrial control environments where building automation systems manage critical infrastructure operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, as it creates potential for more severe consequences within building automation environments. Remote attackers could potentially manipulate building operational parameters, access sensitive configuration information, or disrupt normal building operations through unauthorized access to administrative functions. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on EcoStruxure Building Operation for managing their building infrastructure, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into building occupancy patterns, energy consumption data, security system configurations, and other operational details that could be exploited for further attacks or business disruption. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation or monitoring capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their building automation systems. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the improper access control implementation. Additionally, network segmentation should be enforced to isolate the affected web applications from critical operational systems, implementing firewalls and access control lists to restrict unauthorized network access. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized attempts to access restricted resources, with logging configured to capture all authentication and authorization events. Organizations should also conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have appropriate levels of access to the affected web applications, implementing the principle of least privilege for all user accounts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures that address both network-level and application-level access controls. The remediation process should include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar access control weaknesses in other components of the building automation infrastructure.