1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 6.9
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
- Vendor: Campbell Scientific
- Equipment: CSI Web Server
- Vulnerabilities: Path Traversal, Weak Encoding for Password
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to download files and decode stored passwords.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following versions of Campbell Scientific CSI Web Server and RTMC (Real-Time Monitoring and Control) Pro, which contains the CSI Web Server are affected:
- Campbell Scientific CSI Web Server: Versions 1.6 and prior
- RTMC Pro: Version 5.0 and prior
3.2 Vulnerability Overview
3.2.1 IMPROPER LIMITATION OF A PATHNAME TO A RESTRICTED DIRECTORY (‘PATH TRAVERSAL’) CWE-22
The Campbell Scientific CSI Web Server supports a command that will return the most recent file that matches a given expression. A specially crafted expression can lead to a path traversal vulnerability. This command combined with a specially crafted expression allows anonymous, unauthenticated access (allowed by default) by an attacker to files and directories outside of the webserver root directory they should be restricted to.
CVE-2024-5433 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-5433. A base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.2.2 WEAK ENCODING FOR PASSWORD CWE-261
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.
CVE-2024-5434 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-5434. A base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy, Food and Agriculture, Water and Wastewater, and Transportation Systems sectors
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Untied States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Patrick K. Sheehan, Grant Hume, and Donald Macary reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Campbell Scientific recommends users to update to the version.
For user of CSI Web Server update to the most recent CSI Web Server 1.x patch
For users of RTMC Pro 5 update to the most recent RTMC Pro 5.x patch
For users of RTMC Pro 4 update to the most recent RTMC Pro 4.x patch.
Contact Campbell Scientific for more details.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:
- Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
- Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
- When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:
No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- May 28, 2024: Initial Publication