CVE-2024-33470 in Room Alert 4E
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2024
An issue in the SMTP Email Settings of AVTECH Room Alert 4E v4.4.0 allows attackers to gain access to credentials in plaintext via a passback attack. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-33470 represents a critical security flaw within the AVTECH Room Alert 4E monitoring device running firmware version 4.4.0. This device operates as an environmental monitoring system that includes SMTP email notification capabilities for alerting users about environmental conditions. The flaw specifically resides in how the system handles SMTP email settings, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to authentication credentials stored within the device's configuration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to extract plaintext credentials through a passback attack mechanism, which fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate credential handling within the device's email configuration interface. When administrators configure SMTP settings for email notifications, the system stores these credentials in a manner that does not properly obscure or encrypt the authentication information. A passback attack exploits this weakness by manipulating the communication flow between the device and email servers to capture or replay authentication tokens. This attack vector operates at the application layer and can be executed without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through the improper handling of credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and social engineering, though in this case the attack is facilitated by the device's own insecure credential storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire security framework of the monitoring system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to email credentials that can be used to send malicious emails, access email accounts, or escalate privileges within the network. The device's role in environmental monitoring makes it particularly valuable as a potential entry point for attackers targeting industrial control systems or building management networks. The fact that this vulnerability affects a device that is no longer supported by the maintainer significantly amplifies the risk, as there are no official patches or security updates available to address the flaw. This leaves organizations with limited options for remediation, forcing them to either physically secure the device, isolate it from critical network segments, or replace it entirely.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to reduce the risk of exploitation. The most effective immediate measure involves isolating the affected devices from the production network through network segmentation or firewall rules that prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling SMTP email notifications if they are not critical to operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous email traffic patterns that might indicate credential theft attempts. For organizations that cannot immediately replace the affected devices, conducting a thorough assessment of the network architecture is essential to determine if the device has access to sensitive systems or data. Security teams should also monitor for any signs of compromise in email accounts that may have been accessed using stolen credentials. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and the risks associated with continuing to use unsupported software, as these systems often lack the security features necessary to protect against modern attack vectors.