CVE-2022-45124 in KingHistorian
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2023
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the User authentication functionality of WellinTech KingHistorian 35.01.00.05. A specially crafted network packet can lead to a disclosure of sensitive information. An attacker can sniff network traffic to leverage this vulnerability.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The CVE-2022-45124 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the WellinTech KingHistorian 35.01.00.05 software platform, specifically targeting its user authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of authentication-related data within the network communication protocols, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized parties to access sensitive information. The flaw exists at the protocol level where authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other credential-related data may be transmitted in an unencrypted or improperly secured format, making them susceptible to interception during network transmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to perform passive network sniffing operations to capture and analyze network traffic flowing between client systems and the KingHistorian server. This attack vector aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and specifically relates to improper handling of authentication data during network communication. The vulnerability can be exploited through standard network monitoring tools that capture packets traversing the network infrastructure, enabling threat actors to extract sensitive authentication information without requiring active exploitation or direct system compromise. The flaw essentially creates a man-in-the-middle scenario where network traffic is visible to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete authentication bypass scenarios and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Organizations utilizing WellinTech KingHistorian in critical infrastructure environments face significant risk of system compromise, data theft, and potential operational disruption. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as sensitive authentication information becomes accessible to any network observer. This exposure can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted system functions, or perform unauthorized operations within the industrial environment. The attack follows the ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1567 for credential harvesting, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control system environments where security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45124 should prioritize immediate implementation of network encryption protocols such as TLS 1.3 for all authentication communications. Organizations must ensure that all network traffic between client systems and the KingHistorian server is properly encrypted using strong cryptographic protocols. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of authentication traffic to authorized personnel only. Additionally, the affected WellinTech KingHistorian version should be updated to the latest patched release provided by the vendor, as this vulnerability is likely to be addressed through proper authentication data handling and encryption implementation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous authentication traffic patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify potential information disclosure vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. The remediation process should also include configuration reviews to ensure that authentication mechanisms properly implement secure communication protocols and that sensitive data is not transmitted in cleartext format.