CVE-2023-0451 in EOS Traffic Control
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
All versions of Econolite EOS traffic control software are vulnerable to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, and lack a password requirement for gaining “READONLY” access to log files, as well as certain database and configuration files. One such file contains tables with message-digest algorithm 5 (MD5) hashes and usernames for all defined users in the control software, including administrators and technicians.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2023
The Econolite EOS traffic control software presents a critical access control vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security posture of traffic management systems. This vulnerability stems from CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which occurs when software fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms for accessing protected resources. The flaw specifically affects all versions of the Econolite EOS platform, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by unauthorized parties to gain access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability manifests through the absence of authentication requirements for accessing read-only user accounts, which should normally require proper credentials to prevent unauthorized access to system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and gain access to log files, database contents, and configuration files through a READONLY access level. This access level, while intended to provide limited viewing capabilities, becomes a significant security risk when it lacks proper password protection. The compromised system exposes critical user credentials including MD5 hashes and associated usernames for all defined users within the control software ecosystem. These MD5 hashes represent a particularly concerning aspect of the vulnerability since MD5 is considered cryptographically broken and unsuitable for security-sensitive applications, making the stored credentials vulnerable to various attack vectors including rainbow table attacks and collision attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive insight into the traffic control system's user management structure and operational data. The presence of administrator and technician credentials in the exposed database creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this information to conduct targeted attacks against specific user accounts, potentially gaining deeper access to the system or using stolen credentials to impersonate legitimate users. The exposure of MD5 hashes also means that attackers can attempt to reverse-engineer user passwords, especially if weak passwords are used, creating additional attack vectors that could lead to complete system takeover.
Security professionals should treat this vulnerability as a high-priority issue requiring immediate remediation, as it directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing. Organizations operating Econolite EOS systems must implement immediate compensating controls including network segmentation to isolate these systems from general network access, implementing strong authentication mechanisms for all access points, and conducting thorough credential audits to identify any potential compromise. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper access control implementation as specified in ISO/IEC 27001 security controls and demonstrates how inadequate authentication mechanisms can create cascading security failures throughout an organization's infrastructure.