CVE-2024-5434 in CSI Web Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/28/2024
The Campbell Scientific CSI Web Server stores web authentication credentials in a file with a specific file name. Passwords within that file are stored in a weakly encoded format. There is no known way to remotely access the file unless it has been manually renamed. However, if an attacker were to gain access to the file, passwords could be decoded and reused to gain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the Campbell Scientific CSI Web Server authentication mechanism, where web credentials are stored in a predictable file location with insufficient cryptographic protection. The system stores authentication information in a file with a specific, well-known filename, creating a predictable attack surface that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth. The weakly encoded format of passwords within this file constitutes a significant failure in cryptographic implementation, as the encoding method can be easily reversed or decoded by an attacker who gains access to the file. According to the CWE catalog, this scenario aligns with CWE-312, which describes "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information," and CWE-259, which covers "Use of Hard-coded Passwords." The vulnerability creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized access that directly maps to tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078, "Valid Accounts," and T1566, "Phishing." The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as the attacker could potentially gain persistent access to the system and escalate privileges through the compromised credentials. The fact that the file requires manual renaming for remote access suggests a configuration error or default installation flaw that exposes the system to unauthorized access. This weakness particularly affects industrial control systems and IoT devices where default configurations often leave security mechanisms in vulnerable states. The operational impact includes potential system compromise, unauthorized data access, and the possibility of cascading attacks within networked environments. Organizations using this software face increased risk of supply chain attacks and insider threats, as the predictable file location makes automated exploitation more likely. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles and violates the principle of defense in depth, where multiple layers of protection should be implemented to prevent single points of failure. The weak encoding approach indicates either a lack of understanding of cryptographic best practices or intentional design choices that prioritize convenience over security, both of which represent serious security flaws. Mitigation strategies should include immediate file renaming to obscure the credential storage location, implementation of proper password hashing with salt, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar configuration issues across the enterprise. System administrators must also implement network segmentation to limit access to critical systems and ensure that default configurations are reviewed and hardened before deployment in production environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the need for comprehensive security testing during software development and deployment phases to prevent such exposure scenarios.