Vulnerabilities in historian database servers raise concerns as they can provide a connection between an organization’s IT and OT networks. Researchers at Claroty have detailed their findings about a set of vulnerabilities in the GE Proficy Historian. The report notes that “these critical databases not only store data collected from industrial control systems, but they also extend to the corporate network by sharing information with enterprise resource planning systems and analytics platforms.”
Note
- There are business and operational reasons for an organization to connect its IT and OT networks. That said, once connected, it does provide a pathway for remote access to vulnerable OT systems. You can count on the adversary finding the connection once they have initial access. Proper planning and active monitoring of these connections should be a high priority for IT and security staff and a feature of regular reporting to executive leadership.
Read more in
- Hacking ICS Historians: The Pivot Point from IT to OT
- ICS Advisory (ICSA-23-017-01) GE Digital Proficy Historian
- Control System Historian Documentation
Alex Lim
Alex Lim is a certified IT Technical Support Architect with over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex IT systems and networks. He has worked for leading IT companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco, providing technical support and solutions to clients across various industries and sectors. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and a master’s degree in information security from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also the author of several best-selling books on IT technical support, such as The IT Technical Support Handbook and Troubleshooting IT Systems and Networks. Alex lives in Bandar, Johore, Malaysia with his wife and two chilrdren. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Website | Twitter | Facebook
