CVE-2020-8477 in System 800xA Information Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The installations for ABB System 800xA Information Manager versions 5.1, 6.0 to 6.0.3.2 and 6.1 wrongly contain an auxiliary component. An attacker is able to use this for an XSS-like attack to an authenticated local user, which might lead to execution of arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2024
The CVE-2020-8477 vulnerability affects ABB System 800xA Information Manager versions 5.1, 6.0 through 6.0.3.2, and 6.1, representing a critical security flaw that stems from the inclusion of an auxiliary component in the system installation that was not properly secured. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated local users who have access to the system, creating a pathway for cross-site scripting attacks that could escalate to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the auxiliary component, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering it within the application context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which represents Cross-Site Scripting attacks where improper sanitization of user input allows malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' sessions. The presence of this auxiliary component creates an unexpected attack surface that bypasses normal security controls and provides attackers with a foothold within the system's trusted environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. Local authenticated users who can leverage this vulnerability can inject malicious scripts that persist within the application's interface, allowing for session hijacking, data exfiltration, and unauthorized system modifications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local authentication, meaning that any user with legitimate access to the system can exploit this weakness without requiring external network access or complex attack chains. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers Scripting through PowerShell and other command-line interfaces, as the malicious code execution could occur through legitimate system interfaces that are typically trusted by security monitoring systems. The auxiliary component's inclusion suggests poor security hygiene during the development and deployment phases, where security considerations were not adequately integrated into the system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-8477 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by ABB, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 800xA Information Manager product line. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit local access to these systems and enforce strict access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have the necessary privileges to interact with the vulnerable components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual script injection patterns and anomalous user behavior within the system's interface, particularly focusing on the auxiliary component's usage patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any additional unexpected components or modules that could create similar vulnerabilities within the system. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the auxiliary component's functionality remains intact while eliminating the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and mandatory code reviews to prevent similar issues in future deployments, particularly focusing on the secure handling of user inputs and the proper isolation of auxiliary components from core system functions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining strict security boundaries even within trusted internal systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.