CVE-2021-38418 in DIALink
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior runs by default on HTTP, which may allow an attacker to be positioned between the traffic and perform a machine-in-the-middle attack to access information without authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink software versions 1.2.4.0 and earlier exhibit a critical security flaw that stems from their default configuration running over unencrypted HTTP protocols. This vulnerability creates an exploitable attack vector where malicious actors can position themselves between network communications and intercept sensitive data flowing between the client and server components. The implementation of plaintext HTTP communication without encryption mechanisms fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information, making it susceptible to various man-in-the-middle attacks. According to the CWE catalog, this represents a variant of CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive data through unencrypted network communications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish unauthorized access to network resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to potentially modify communication streams, inject malicious content, or perform session hijacking operations. When DIALink applications default to HTTP connections, they expose all network traffic to passive monitoring and active attack techniques that exploit the lack of transport layer encryption. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous in environments where the software handles sensitive operational data, configuration parameters, or authentication credentials. Network traffic inspection tools can readily capture and analyze the unencrypted data flows, allowing threat actors to extract valuable information such as user credentials, system configurations, or operational parameters that could be used for further exploitation.
Organizations utilizing affected Delta Electronics DIALink versions face significant risk of unauthorized information access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems environments where DIALink may be used for network management and device communication. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network resources, potentially leading to system disruption, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The default nature of the insecure configuration means that administrators may be unaware of the vulnerability unless they perform specific security audits or network monitoring activities. Security professionals should consider this issue in the context of defense-in-depth strategies, as it represents a fundamental failure in secure network communication implementation that undermines overall system security posture.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize immediate implementation of secure communication protocols through configuration changes that enforce HTTPS encryption and certificate validation. Administrators must disable default HTTP services and implement proper SSL/TLS configurations to prevent unencrypted traffic from being processed. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of network access controls and firewall rules can help prevent unauthorized access to the affected services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar insecure configurations across the network infrastructure. System administrators should also consider implementing network protocol analysis tools to monitor for cleartext data transmission and ensure that all communications are properly encrypted. Additionally, organizations should establish security awareness programs to educate personnel about the importance of secure communication practices and the risks associated with default insecure configurations in industrial control systems.