title: AutomationDirect C-more EA9 HMI Cleartext Transmission
description: AutomationDirect C-more EA9 HTTP webserver uses an insecure mechanism to transport credentials from client to web server, which may allow an attacker to obtain the login credentials and login as a valid user. This issue affects: AutomationDirect C-more EA9 EA9-T6CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T6CL-R versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T7CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T7CL-R versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T8CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T10CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T10WCL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T12CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T15CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-RHMI versions prior to 6.73; EA9-PGMSW versions prior to 6.73;
problem types: CWE-319 Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
affected:
{
product: C-more EA9
vendor: AutomationDirect
versions:
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T6CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T6CL-R, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T7CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T7CL-R, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T8CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T10CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T10WCL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T12CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-T15CL, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-RHMI, versionType: custom
lessThan: 6.73, status: affected, version: EA9-PGMSW, versionType: custom
}
metrics:
cvssV3_1: [
attackComplexity: LOW
attackVector: NETWORK
availabilityImpact: NONE
baseScore: 7.5
baseSeverity: HIGH
confidentialityImpact: HIGH
integrityImpact: NONE
privilegesRequired: NONE
scope: UNCHANGED
userInteraction: NONE
vectorString: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
version: 3.1
]
solutions: AutomationDirect recommends users upgrade to firmware Version 6.73 or later, which supports TLS security options for the webserver.
While automation networks and systems have built-in password protection schemes, this is only one step in securing the affected systems. Automation control system networks must incorporate data protection and security measures at least as robust as a typical business computer system. AutomationDirect recommends users of PLCs, HMI products, and other SCADA system products perform independent network security analysis to determine the proper level of security required for the application.
AutomationDirect has identified the following mitigations for instances where systems cannot be upgraded to Version 6.73 or later:
The Webserver feature can be disabled on the HMI using the programming software.
Place the HMI panel behind a VPN: Access to and from critical control system assets in the modern environment is usually LAN based, but still should be considered remote if the operator is traversing across different networks. virtual private networking (VPN) is often considered the best approach in securing trans-network communication.