CVE-2023-0580 in My Control System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information vulnerability in ABB My Control System (on-premise) allows an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to gain access to the secure application data or take control of the application. Of the services that make up the My Control System (on-premise) application, the following ones are affected by this vulnerability: User Interface System Monitoring1 Asset Inventory This issue affects My Control System (on-premise): from 5.0;0 through 5.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2023
The CVE-2023-0580 vulnerability represents a critical insecure storage of sensitive information flaw within ABB's My Control System on-premise platform, specifically impacting versions 5.0.0 through 5.13. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of secure data storage mechanisms, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive application data and potential complete system compromise. The affected components include the User Interface System Monitoring1 and Asset Inventory services, which form integral parts of the control system's operational infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-315 (CWE-315: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in a Cookie), indicating that sensitive data is being stored without adequate encryption or protection measures. This weakness directly enables adversaries to exploit the system through techniques categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and specifically T1566 (Phishing) or T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) when combined with other attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate data protection mechanisms within the My Control System's on-premise deployment architecture. When sensitive information such as user credentials, system configurations, or operational data is stored in cleartext or with insufficient encryption, attackers who gain access to the system's storage locations can directly retrieve this information without requiring additional authentication or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core operational services of the control system, particularly the User Interface System Monitoring1 and Asset Inventory components, which likely store authentication tokens, configuration parameters, or operational data in an unprotected format. This flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture, where sensitive data is not properly encrypted at rest, violating industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0580 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the complete control system environment, potentially leading to operational disruption, data manipulation, or even physical system damage in industrial control scenarios. The affected services, particularly Asset Inventory, may contain sensitive operational data about system components, configurations, and user access rights that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for industrial control systems and could enable adversaries to perform reconnaissance activities, escalate privileges, or execute lateral movement within the network. The risk assessment for this vulnerability is elevated due to its potential to affect critical infrastructure operations, particularly in environments where ABB My Control System is deployed for industrial automation and control processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. System administrators must ensure that all sensitive data within the affected services is properly encrypted at rest using industry-standard encryption algorithms such as AES-256, and that proper key management practices are implemented. The remediation process should involve comprehensive data migration to secure storage mechanisms, implementation of proper access controls, and regular security audits of data storage locations. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system components. Organizations should also consider implementing security controls aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27002 guidelines for information security management. The vulnerability's exploitation could trigger compliance violations under various regulatory frameworks including NERC CIP for critical infrastructure protection and GDPR for data protection, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining operational security and regulatory compliance.