CVE-2018-19616 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was found in the Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley PowerMonitor 1000 that allows unauthorized manipulation of administrator settings due to a client-side access control issue.

Understanding CVE-2018-19616

This CVE involves an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley PowerMonitor 1000.

What is CVE-2018-19616?

This vulnerability enables an attacker without authentication to modify administrator settings by exploiting a disabled attribute in a BUTTON element on the client side.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19616

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to manipulate administrator settings, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19616

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from an access control mechanism implemented on the client side using a disabled attribute for a BUTTON element, allowing unauthenticated users to add, edit, or remove administrators.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley PowerMonitor 1000
Vendor: Rockwell Automation
Versions: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by leveraging the disabled attribute in a BUTTON element on the client side to bypass authentication and manipulate administrator settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-19616 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement network segmentation to restrict access to vulnerable systems
Regularly monitor and audit administrator settings and access controls
Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security training for system administrators and users
Employ strong authentication mechanisms and multi-factor authentication
Keep abreast of security advisories and updates from the vendor

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches or updates provided by Rockwell Automation to address the vulnerability