CVE-2021-32003 in SiteManager
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2021
Unprotected Transport of Credentials vulnerability in SiteManager provisioning service allows local attacker to capture credentials if the service is used after provisioning. This issue affects: Secomea SiteManager All versions prior to 9.5 on Hardware.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2021
The CVE-2021-32003 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Secomea SiteManager provisioning service that exposes credentials during transport operations. This vulnerability specifically impacts devices running SiteManager versions prior to 9.5 on hardware platforms, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these industrial security solutions. The flaw manifests as an unprotected transport of credentials, meaning that sensitive authentication information flows through the network without proper encryption or protection mechanisms, making it susceptible to interception by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the service's failure to implement secure communication protocols during credential transmission phases. When the SiteManager provisioning service is utilized after initial provisioning, the system does not adequately protect the credentials being transmitted between components, creating an attack surface that local adversaries can exploit. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential protection and secure communication practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure credential management.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial control systems and network security infrastructure. Local attackers who gain access to the network segment where SiteManager operates can potentially capture authentication credentials, which could then be used to gain unauthorized access to connected systems, network devices, or other critical infrastructure components. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as compromised credentials could enable attackers to manipulate device configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where SiteManager is deployed for remote management of industrial equipment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise operational technology infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to SiteManager version 9.5 or later, which addresses the credential transport protection issue. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential credential interception attempts, while administrators should review and strengthen access controls for affected systems. The implementation of secure communication protocols such as TLS encryption should be enforced for all SiteManager service communications, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security implementations in industrial environments and highlights the need for robust credential protection mechanisms in all network services, particularly those handling authentication information. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic analysis and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious credential-related activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.