Advantech WebAccess/SCADA Improper Authentication, Authentication Bypass, SQL Injection (CVE-2019-6523 CVE-2019-6521 CVE-2019-6519 )

# ICS Advisory (ICSA-19-024-01) ## Advantech WebAccess/SCADA Original release date: January 24, 2019 [Print Document](javascript:window.print\(\);) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-19-024-01) [Like Me](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-19-024-01) [Share](http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-19-024-01) ### Legal Notice All information products included in [https://us-cert.gov/ics](/ics) are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more information about TLP, see [https://www.us- cert.gov/tlp/](/tlp/). * * * ## 1\. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * **CVSS v3 9.8** * **ATTENTION:** Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit * **Vendor:** Advantech * **Equipment:** WebAccess/SCADA * **Vulnerabilities:** Improper Authentication, Authentication Bypass, SQL Injection ## 2\. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to access and manipulate sensitive data. ## 3\. TECHNICAL DETAILS ### 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS The following versions of WebAccess/SCADA, a SCADA software platform, are affected: * WebAccess/SCADA Version 8.3 ### 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW ### 3.2.1 [ IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/287.html) An improper authentication vulnerability exists that could allow a possible authentication bypass allowing an attacker to upload malicious data. [CVE-2019-6519](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2019-6519) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is [(AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). ### 3.2.2 [AUTHENTICATION BYPASS USING AN ALTERNATE PATH OR CHANNEL CWE-288](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/288.html) Specially crafted requests could allow a possible authentication bypass that could allow an attacker to obtain and manipulate sensitive information. [CVE-2019-6521](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2019-6521) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is [(AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L)](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L). ### 3.2.3 [ IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN AN SQL COMMAND ('SQL INJECTION') CWE-89](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.html) The software does not properly sanitize its inputs for SQL commands. [CVE-2019-6523](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2019-6523) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 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)](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N). ### 3.3 BACKGROUND * **CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS:** Critical Manufacturing, Energy, Water and Wastewater Systems * **COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED:** East Asia, United States, Europe * **COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION:** Taiwan ### 3.4 RESEARCHER Devesh Logendran of Attila Cybertech Pte. Ltd. reported these vulnerabilities to NCCIC. ## 4\. MITIGATIONS Advantech has released Version 8.3.5 of WebAccess/SCADA to address the reported vulnerabilities. Users can download the latest version of WebAccess/SCADA at the following location (registration required): [https://support.advantech.com/support/DownloadSRDetail_New.aspx?SR_ID=1-MS9MJV&Doc_Source=Download](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__support.advantech.com_support_DownloadSRDetail-5FNew.aspx-3FSR-5FID-3D1-2DMS9MJV-26Doc-5FSource-3DDownload&d=DwMFAg&c=54IZrppPQZKX9mLzcGdPfFD1hxrcB__aEkJFOKJFd00&r=bd4G77mdhJayq8hCsaGH3eJ3oTDOURCwn88GATyKPJM&m=uVDoRgrHhHX88anG8A3hRN3SSzs20a5SSAUK4W6QE3g&s=ZzwMLJynAk12jVrLdGX63bHJkGeSBNQZR9c8S5tNViY&e=) NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should: * Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are [not accessible from the Internet](/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01). * Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network. * When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices. NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures. NCCIC also provides a section for [control systems security recommended practices](/ics/content/recommended-practices) on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including [Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in- Depth Strategies](/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS- CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf). Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the [ICS-CERT website](/ics/) in the Technical Information Paper, [ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies](/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B). Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents. No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities.