CVE-2023-37858 in WP 6xxx
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2023
In PHOENIX CONTACTs WP 6xxx series web panels in versions prior to 4.0.10 an authenticated, remote attacker with admin privileges is able to read hardcoded cryptographic keys allowing to decrypt an encrypted web application login password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37858 affects PHOENIX CONTACT's WP 6xxx series web panels, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication mechanisms of these industrial control devices. This vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to 4.0.10 and specifically targets the cryptographic implementation within the web application framework. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges to extract hardcoded cryptographic keys that are used to encrypt web application login credentials, thereby compromising the entire authentication system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic key management within the web panel's firmware. The hardcoded keys are embedded directly within the application code or configuration files, making them accessible to any user with administrative access. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through hardcoded credentials. The vulnerability specifically enables credential decryption because the encryption algorithm used for web application passwords relies on these hardcoded keys, creating a direct attack vector that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to industrial control systems that rely on PHOENIX CONTACT web panels for monitoring and control functions. The ability to decrypt login passwords allows attackers to gain persistent access to the web interface, potentially enabling them to modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt industrial processes. The remote nature of the attack means that an authenticated administrator could be compromised from anywhere within the network, and if the attacker can escalate privileges, they could achieve full system control. This vulnerability particularly affects the ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts usage for persistence.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-37858 requires immediate firmware updates to version 4.0.10 or later, which addresses the hardcoded key exposure issue. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation to limit access to these devices, regular monitoring of administrative access logs, and enforcement of strong access controls. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their industrial control systems to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper key management practices and adherence to security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management, which emphasizes the need for dynamic key generation and secure storage mechanisms instead of hardcoded values. Organizations must also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious administrative access patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system security breaches.