CVE-2021-34564 in WirelessHART-Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2021
Any cookie-stealing vulnerabilities within the application or browser would enable an attacker to steal the user's credentials to the PEPPERL+FUCHS WirelessHART-Gateway 3.0.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2021
The CVE-2021-34564 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the PEPPERL+FUCHS WirelessHART-Gateway version 3.0.9 that exposes users to credential theft through cookie manipulation. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of session management weaknesses that have been systematically documented in cybersecurity frameworks, particularly aligning with CWE-384 which addresses session management flaws. The vulnerability specifically targets the gateway's authentication mechanism, creating an avenue for attackers to exploit cookie-based session tokens that should remain secure and protected from unauthorized access. The WirelessHART-Gateway serves as a critical component in industrial automation environments where secure communication between wireless devices and control systems is paramount for operational integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate cookie security measures within the web interface of the gateway software. When users authenticate to the device, session cookies are generated that should be protected through secure flags, proper domain restrictions, and HTTP-only attributes to prevent client-side script access. However, the PEPPERL+FUCHS implementation fails to properly secure these cookies, allowing attackers to intercept or manipulate session tokens through various means including cross-site scripting attacks, man-in-the-middle techniques, or by exploiting other application-level vulnerabilities that could lead to cookie theft. This weakness directly enables attackers to assume the identity of legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to the gateway's administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire security posture of industrial control systems that rely on the WirelessHART-Gateway for network connectivity and management. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full administrative access to the gateway, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, disable security features, access sensitive operational data, or even manipulate connected industrial devices. This risk is particularly concerning in industrial environments where the gateway may serve as a critical communication hub between field devices and enterprise systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain access to broader industrial networks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34564 should focus on implementing proper cookie security measures including setting secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and SameSite controls for all session cookies. Organizations should also ensure that the gateway firmware is updated to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as PEPPERL+FUCHS has released patches to resolve the issue. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers should be implemented to reduce the attack surface, while continuous monitoring of network traffic for suspicious cookie manipulation activities should be established. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper session management as outlined in OWASP top ten security risks and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that even industrial control systems require robust web application security measures to protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.