CVE-2026-79679 in mapp Services
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2026
Use of Weak Credentials vulnerability in B&R Industrial Automation GmbH mapp Audit used in mapp Services.
This issue affects mapp Audit used in mapp Services: before 6.8.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical authentication weakness within the mapp Audit component, which is part of the broader mapp Services suite developed by B&R Industrial Automation GmbH. This flaw specifically impacts versions prior to release 6.8.0 and stems from the improper implementation or configuration of credential management mechanisms during the audit logging process. In industrial control systems and automated environments, robust authentication is paramount for maintaining system integrity and ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive operational data. The use of weak credentials in this context suggests that the service either relies on default passwords provided by the manufacturer, employs predictable password structures, or fails to enforce complexity requirements during initial setup or routine maintenance operations. This deficiency allows attackers who have gained network-level access to the affected system to bypass authentication controls with minimal effort, effectively granting them unauthorized entry into the audit subsystem.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials and CWE-521: Weak Password Requirements as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The core issue lies in the failure to implement strong cryptographic practices for password storage or transmission within the audit service interface. When credentials are weak, they become susceptible to brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, and credential stuffing techniques that exploit common default passwords often found in industrial IoT devices. Furthermore, if these credentials are transmitted without adequate encryption such as TLS 1.2 or higher, an attacker performing a man-in-the-middle attack could intercept the authentication data, leading to further compromise of the system. The lack of multi-factor authentication adds another layer of risk, as possession of a single weak password is sufficient for full access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access. In industrial environments, audit logs are critical for forensic analysis, compliance reporting, and detecting anomalous behavior during cyber incidents. If an attacker can authenticate using weak credentials, they may tamper with or delete these logs to cover their tracks after executing malicious commands on the underlying PLCs or HMIs. This capability directly supports ATT&CK technique T1070: Indicator Removal on Host, allowing adversaries to evade detection and prolong their presence within the network. Additionally, access to audit services often provides insights into system configurations and user activities, which can be leveraged for lateral movement across the industrial control network. The compromise of mapp Services could lead to disruptions in production processes, safety hazards if critical controls are manipulated, and significant financial losses due to downtime or regulatory penalties related to data integrity failures.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through software updates as well as long-term hardening practices. The primary corrective action is to upgrade the mapp Audit component to version 6.8.0 or later, where B&R Industrial Automation GmbH has addressed these authentication flaws by enforcing stronger credential policies and improving security defaults. For systems that cannot be immediately updated, administrators should manually change any default passwords to complex, unique strings that meet industry-standard complexity requirements including length, character variety, and regular rotation schedules. Network segmentation is also crucial; the mapp Services interface should not be exposed directly to untrusted networks but rather isolated within a secure DMZ or restricted VLAN with strict firewall rules limiting access to authorized management stations only. Implementing multi-factor authentication where supported by the platform can further reduce the risk of credential-based attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on industrial protocols will help identify similar weaknesses in other connected devices, ensuring a more resilient security posture for critical infrastructure operations.