CVE-2023-37860 in WP 6xxx
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2023
In PHOENIX CONTACTs WP 6xxx series web panels in versions prior to 4.0.10 a remote unauthenticated attacker can obtain the r/w community string of the SNMPv2 daemon.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37860 affects PHOENIX CONTACT's WP 6xxx series web panels, specifically targeting devices running firmware versions prior to 4.0.10. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the network management infrastructure of industrial control systems, where the affected devices serve as critical endpoints for monitoring and control operations. The WP 6xxx series panels are widely deployed in industrial environments for human machine interface (HMI) applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology (OT) security. These devices typically operate within isolated networks but may be exposed to external threats through various attack vectors, including compromised credentials or misconfigured network access.
The technical flaw stems from improper access control implementation within the SNMPv2 daemon of the affected web panels. Specifically, the system fails to adequately authenticate remote requests for retrieving SNMP community strings, allowing unauthenticated attackers to obtain the read-write community string through remote network access. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles by providing unauthorized access to network management information that should be protected. The vulnerability creates a backdoor that enables attackers to gain administrative access to the device's SNMP configuration, potentially leading to full control over the device's network management capabilities. The issue manifests as a lack of proper authentication checks before exposing sensitive configuration parameters, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise the entire industrial control system. Once an attacker obtains the read-write SNMP community string, they can manipulate device configurations, monitor network traffic, and potentially escalate privileges within the industrial network. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of critical industrial processes, as unauthorized modifications to device settings could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards. The exposure of SNMP community strings also enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, mapping the network topology and identifying other potentially vulnerable devices within the industrial network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as attackers can use the obtained credentials to conduct further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to version 4.0.10 or later, which address the authentication flaw in the SNMP daemon. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, while implementing strict firewall rules to restrict SNMP traffic to authorized management stations only. The principle of least privilege should be applied to SNMP configurations, ensuring that community strings are properly secured and regularly rotated. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual SNMP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control system infrastructure to identify other potentially vulnerable devices. The mitigation strategies should align with NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security, emphasizing the importance of maintaining secure network configurations and implementing proper access controls. Regular security audits and network assessments are essential to maintain the security posture of industrial environments against evolving threats.