CVE-2024-46894 in SINEC INS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC INS (All versions < V1.0 SP2 Update 3). The affected application does not properly validate authorization of a user to query the "/api/sftp/users" endpoint. This could allow an authenticated remote attacker to gain knowledge about the list of configured users of the SFTP service and also modify that configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-46894 represents a critical authorization flaw within SINEC INS software version 1.0 SP2 Update 2 and earlier releases. This issue specifically targets the application's handling of user permissions for the SFTP service management interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure and configuration manipulation. The affected system operates within industrial control environments where SFTP services are commonly deployed for secure file transfers between operational technology systems and external entities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the "/api/sftp/users" endpoint. When an authenticated user attempts to access this specific API route, the application fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses adequate privileges to perform both read and write operations on the SFTP user configuration. This authorization bypass allows attackers to enumerate existing SFTP user accounts and potentially modify their configurations, including adding new users, changing passwords, or removing existing accounts. The flaw exists at the application layer and manifests as a failure to enforce proper role-based access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a potential vector for more severe compromise within industrial environments. An attacker who gains access to the SFTP user enumeration capabilities could map out the entire SFTP service infrastructure, identifying legitimate user accounts that might be targeted for credential compromise attacks. The ability to modify SFTP configurations introduces additional risks including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and potential disruption of critical industrial processes. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where SINEC INS is deployed for managing industrial communication protocols and secure data exchange between control systems and external monitoring platforms.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the application's access control model. The issue demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers could leverage the enumerated user information to conduct targeted credential compromise attempts or establish persistent access through legitimate accounts. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly when evaluating industrial control system security postures.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to version 1.0 SP2 Update 3 or later, which addresses the authorization validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected API endpoints to only authorized administrative systems. Additional monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual patterns of API access to the SFTP user management endpoints, particularly around user enumeration activities. Organizations should also conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only necessary personnel possess the privileges required to manage SFTP configurations, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and establishing regular audit trails for all SFTP configuration changes.