CVE-2022-21184 in Atvise
Summary
by MITRE • 06/17/2022
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the License registration functionality of Bachmann Visutec GmbH Atvise 3.5.4, 3.6 and 3.7. A plaintext HTTP request can lead to a disclosure of login credentials. An attacker can perform a man-in-the-middle attack to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21184 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the license registration functionality of Bachmann Visutec GmbH's Atvise software versions 3.5.4, 3.6, and 3.7. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials during the license registration process, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems that rely on this software platform. The flaw manifests when the application transmits sensitive authentication information over unencrypted plaintext HTTP connections, exposing credentials to potential interception and exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of plaintext HTTP protocols for license registration communications, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in industry standards such as CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information). When users attempt to register licenses through the Atvise interface, the system sends authentication credentials including usernames and passwords in plain text format over HTTP connections rather than implementing secure encrypted communication channels. This design flaw creates an ideal environment for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers positioned between the client and server can easily capture and decode the transmitted credentials without requiring advanced technical skills or significant computational resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control environments. Attackers who successfully intercept these credentials can gain unauthorized access to the Atvise system, potentially enabling them to modify license configurations, access restricted system functions, or even manipulate industrial processes. The vulnerability affects organizations using industrial automation and control systems where the Atvise software serves as a critical component for system management and monitoring. This exposure creates risks for operational technology environments that require robust security controls to protect against unauthorized access and potential disruption of critical infrastructure operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21184 should prioritize immediate implementation of secure communication protocols and comprehensive system hardening measures. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Atvise software where available, or implement network-level protections such as SSL/TLS termination proxies to encrypt HTTP traffic before it reaches vulnerable endpoints. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help limit the attack surface, while mandatory encryption policies should be enforced for all communication channels involving authentication credentials. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual license registration patterns and unauthorized access attempts, with network traffic analysis tools configured to identify and alert on plaintext HTTP communications containing authentication data. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar communication protocols and ensure compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and IEC 62443 industrial security standards.