CVE-2018-5471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability, known as Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, has been identified in various Belden Hirschmann switches, including RS, RSR, RSB, MACH100, MACH1000, MACH4000, MS, and OCTOPUS Classic Platform Switches. This issue allows sensitive information to be transmitted in plain text through the web interface, potentially exposing it to attackers conducting man-in-the-middle attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-5471

This CVE pertains to a Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability affecting specific Belden Hirschmann switches.

What is CVE-2018-5471?

The vulnerability in CVE-2018-5471, also known as Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, enables attackers to intercept sensitive data transmitted in plain text through the affected switches' web interfaces.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5471

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive information by exploiting the cleartext transmission vulnerability in the web interface of the affected switches.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5471

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability in Belden Hirschmann RS, RSR, RSB, MACH100, MACH1000, MACH4000, MS, and OCTOPUS Classic Platform Switches allows for the transmission of sensitive data in plain text, making it susceptible to interception by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH Classic Platform Switches
Versions: Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH Classic Platform Switches

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through a man-in-the-middle attack, where an attacker intercepts the unencrypted sensitive information transmitted through the web interface of the affected switches.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5471 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable remote access to the affected switches if not required for operations.
Implement encryption mechanisms to secure sensitive data transmission.
Regularly monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities.
Train personnel on cybersecurity best practices to prevent data breaches.
Keep systems and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the vendor to address the Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability in the affected switches.