Headline
ABB Cylon Aspect 3.08.03 (MIX->UserManager) Auth Bypass Create MIXAdmin
ABB Cylon Aspect BMS/BAS is vulnerable to a critical flaw in the AuthenticatedHttpServlet within its application server, enabling remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the Host: 127.0.0.1 header. This deceives the server into processing requests as if they originate from localhost, granting unauthorized access to privileged operations. Specifically, this vulnerability impacts the UserManager and GroupManager servlets, allowing unauthenticated attackers to create and remove users and groups without credentials. The flaw stems from the servlet’s automatic authorization of localhost requests as the aamuser account, exposing these sensitive functions to both local and remote exploitation. By leveraging this bypass, attackers can manipulate user and group configurations, potentially escalating privileges or disrupting system access controls.
Title: ABB Cylon Aspect 3.08.03 (MIX->UserManager) Auth Bypass Create MIXAdmin
Advisory ID: ZSL-2025-5939
Type: Local/Remote
Impact: Security Bypass, System Access, DoS
Risk: (5/5)
Release Date: 22.05.2025
Summary
ASPECT is an award-winning scalable building energy management and control solution designed to allow users seamless access to their building data through standard building protocols including smart devices.
Description
ABB Cylon Aspect BMS/BAS is vulnerable to a critical flaw in the AuthenticatedHttpServlet within its application server, enabling remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the Host: 127.0.0.1 header. This deceives the server into processing requests as if they originate from localhost, granting unauthorized access to privileged operations. Specifically, this vulnerability impacts the UserManager and GroupManager servlets, allowing unauthenticated attackers to create and remove users and groups without credentials. The flaw stems from the servlet’s automatic authorization of localhost requests as the aamuser account, exposing these sensitive functions to both local and remote exploitation. By leveraging this bypass, attackers can manipulate user and group configurations, potentially escalating privileges or disrupting system access controls.
Vendor
ABB Ltd. - https://www.global.abb
Affected Version
NEXUS Series, MATRIX-2 Series, ASPECT-Enterprise, ASPECT-Studio
Firmware: <=3.08.03
Tested On
GNU/Linux 3.15.10 (armv7l)
GNU/Linux 3.10.0 (x86_64)
GNU/Linux 2.6.32 (x86_64)
Intel® Atom™ Processor E3930 @ 1.30GHz
Intel® Xeon® Silver 4208 CPU @ 2.10GHz
PHP/7.3.11
PHP/5.6.30
PHP/5.4.16
PHP/4.4.8
PHP/5.3.3
AspectFT Automation Application Server
lighttpd/1.4.32
lighttpd/1.4.18
Apache/2.2.15 (CentOS)
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (rhel-2.6.22.1.-x86_64)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.261-b02, mixed mode)
ErgoTech MIX Deployment Server 2.0.0
Vendor Status
[21.04.2024] Vulnerability discovered.
[22.04.2024] Vendor contacted.
[22.04.2024] Vendor responds.
[02.05.2024] Working with the vendor.
[21.05.2025] No response from the vendor.
[22.05.2025] Public security advisory released.
PoC
MixExploit.java
Credits
Vulnerability discovered by Gjoko Krstic - <[email protected]>
References
[1] https://packetstorm.news/files/id/194967/
Changelog
[22.05.2025] - Initial release
[26.05.2025] - Added reference [1]
Contact
Zero Science Lab
Web: https://www.zeroscience.mk
e-mail: [email protected]