WAGO PLC Panel Detection Scanner

WAGO PLC Panels are widely used in industrial automation, building management systems, and process control environments. These controllers are utilized by engineers and technicians to automate tasks such as monitoring and controlling machinery or building infrastructure for optimal performance and safety. WAGO PLC Panels provide interfaces for communication and interaction with various devices, resulting in effective data collection and process automation. With a web-based visualization tool, users can manage and configure systems remotely, offering flexibility in maintaining and adjusting system parameters. The web visualization feature facilitates viewing real-time data and diagnostics, helping operators improve process efficiency. These panels are valued in industries for their reliability, robustness, and seamless integration with other systems to enhance industrial and commercial workflows.

The detected vulnerability is classified as Panel Detection. This vulnerability involves identifying a web-based visualization panel within the WAGO PLC system, which reveals the presence of CoDeSys Web Visualization components in its interface. The presence of such panels can indicate web server endpoints that could be misconfigured, exposing internal interfaces to outside threats. Detecting this panel presence is vital for security audits as improper exposure might lead to further security risks, potentially enabling unauthorized access. Since the detection of these panels doesn't modify any data but merely acknowledges the existence of a particular interface tied to the system, it is essential to secure these from unauthorized interactions. The technology used for these panels—such as Java applets—can sometimes become outdated or improperly implemented, which could be exploited if left unchecked. Proper asset management and monitoring of such panels ensure reduced visibility to adversaries.

During the vulnerability detection, specific markers in the HTTP response, like "<TITLE>CoDeSys WebVisualization</TITLE>" and libraries such as "webvisu.jar" and "minml.jar," were identified in the HTML code or HTTP headers. These indicators confirm the existence of the WAGO PLC panel. By scanning these endpoints, it's possible to detect if the panels are where they shouldn't be publicly available or misconfigured. Such detections can often lead to more comprehensive security reviews of exposed web interfaces in industrial setups. The HTTP GET requests targeted specific paths that are commonly associated with these panels, ensuring that only genuine panel endpoints would match the criteria set by this detection. The use of logical conditions ensures that the vulnerability only flags genuinely detectable panels, minimizing false positives through strict pattern matching. The headers, such as "WAGO_Webs," act as secondary verification, solidifying the panel confirmation process.

If exploited, panel detection vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized disclosure of system configuration information. While the detection itself does not imply a direct control vulnerability, knowledge of the panel's existence can be an initial step for adversaries to assess further attack vectors. Unauthorized users who identify these panels might attempt to conduct more invasive actions, such as configuration manipulation or denial of service attacks. In the worst-case scenario, external control over the panel can facilitate deeper penetration into the network, risking critical system integrity and safety. Systems with exposed panels without adequate network access controls might suffer from unauthorized changes in automation logic, data theft, or operational disruption. Protecting access to these panels with strong authentication and network segmentation is crucial to prevent unauthorized parties from exploiting them.