CVE-2022-2485 in SIO-MB04RTDS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2022
Any attempt (good or bad) to log into AutomationDirect Stride Field I/O with a web browser may result in the device responding with its password in the communication packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in AutomationDirect Stride Field I/O devices that exposes authentication credentials during web-based login attempts. The issue stems from improper handling of authentication responses where the device inadvertently transmits plaintext passwords within network communication packets regardless of whether the login attempt succeeds or fails. This behavior fundamentally violates secure authentication protocols and creates an immediate risk for industrial control systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-522 - Insufficiently Protected Credentials, which specifically addresses weaknesses in credential handling that expose sensitive authentication data to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the network protocol level where the device's web server component fails to properly sanitize or encrypt authentication responses. When users attempt to access the device through a web browser, the system processes these requests without adequate security measures to prevent credential exposure. This issue affects the device's authentication mechanism and represents a failure in secure communication design principles. The flaw essentially transforms what should be a protected authentication process into one where sensitive information flows in plaintext across potentially untrusted networks, making it susceptible to interception by malicious actors.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risk for industrial environments that rely on AutomationDirect Stride devices for field I/O operations. An attacker positioned within the network or capable of intercepting traffic can easily capture authentication credentials using standard packet analysis tools such as tcpdump or Wireshark. Once obtained, these credentials can be used to gain unauthorized access to device management interfaces, potentially leading to system compromise, data manipulation, or operational disruption. The vulnerability impacts both legitimate users attempting to connect and malicious actors conducting reconnaissance activities, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where device security is paramount.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network traffic and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect credential exposure attempts. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing secure remote access protocols such as SSH or VPN connections for device management, disabling unnecessary web interfaces when not required, and regularly updating device firmware to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, security controls should enforce strong password policies and implement multi-factor authentication where possible. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defending industrial control systems, particularly in the credential access and defense evasion categories where exposure of authentication credentials can lead to complete system compromise. The incident highlights the critical need for proper input validation and secure coding practices in industrial networking equipment to prevent information disclosure vulnerabilities that can undermine entire operational technology infrastructures.