CVE-2021-33008 in System Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33008 affects AVEVA System Platform versions ranging from 2017 through 2020 R2 P01, representing a critical authentication weakness that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. This flaw constitutes a fundamental failure in the platform's access control mechanisms, where certain functionalities that should require verified user identity claims are completely accessible without any form of authentication checks. The absence of authentication requirements creates an exploitable vector that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system components and potentially manipulate critical industrial processes. This vulnerability directly violates core security principles and represents a significant gap in the platform's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing authentication requirement for specific system functionalities within the AVEVA System Platform, creating a scenario where attackers can bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources. This weakness operates at the application level and affects the platform's ability to maintain proper user identity verification, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of industrial control systems. The vulnerability exists across multiple versions of the platform, indicating a persistent architectural flaw that has not been adequately addressed through the affected release cycle. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms where proper user identification is not enforced for privileged operations, falling under the category of inadequate authentication practices that enable unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it potentially allows attackers to manipulate industrial processes, access sensitive operational data, and compromise the overall integrity of the control system. Industrial control systems are particularly vulnerable to such flaws because they often operate in environments where continuous operation is critical, and unauthorized modifications can lead to significant safety, operational, and financial consequences. The lack of authentication for critical system functions creates opportunities for both insider threats and external attackers to exploit the system, potentially leading to process disruptions, data breaches, or even physical safety hazards in industrial environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access, as the absence of authentication requirements effectively allows attackers to operate under assumed identities without proper verification.
Organizations utilizing affected AVEVA System Platform versions should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including deploying network segmentation to isolate critical system components, implementing additional access controls at the network level, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control systems. The platform vendor should be consulted for specific patches or workarounds that address the authentication deficiencies, while security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. Given the industrial nature of these systems, mitigation strategies should also consider the operational continuity requirements while addressing the authentication gap. This vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing robust authentication mechanisms in industrial control systems and highlights the need for continuous security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in operational technology environments.