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How to remediate – WellinTech KingSCADA Detection

Contents

1. Introduction

WellinTech KingSCADA Detection indicates a SCADA application is installed on a remote Windows host. KingSCADA software controls industrial processes and is commonly found in critical infrastructure environments. A successful exploit could disrupt operations, potentially impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of controlled systems.

2. Technical Explanation

KingSCADA is installed on the target system. This isn’t a vulnerability *in* KingSCADA itself but an indicator that a SCADA application requiring specific security attention is present. Attackers may target known vulnerabilities in KingSCADA or use it as a foothold within an industrial network. There are no publicly available CVEs associated with simply having KingSCADA installed, however the software has been subject to analysis for potential weaknesses. An attacker could gain control of industrial processes if they compromise the host running KingSCADA and then exploit flaws within the application itself.

  • Root cause: The presence of a SCADA application that may have known vulnerabilities or require specific hardening.
  • Exploit mechanism: Attackers would first need to gain access to the Windows host, potentially through phishing, malware, or network exploitation. Once on the host, they could attempt to exploit KingSCADA directly.
  • Scope: Windows hosts running KingSCADA software.

3. Detection and Assessment

Confirming the presence of KingSCADA can be done through several methods. A quick check involves looking for the application in the installed programs list. A thorough method is to scan the file system for KingSCADA-specific files or registry entries.

  • Quick checks: Check the “Programs and Features” control panel item, or run wmic product get name and search for “KingSCADA”.
  • Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 139582 may identify KingSCADA installations. This is an example only.
  • Logs and evidence: Look for KingSCADA-related processes in the Windows Event Logs, specifically under Application and System logs.
wmic product get name | findstr "KingSCADA"

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

The primary remediation step is to ensure KingSCADA is properly secured and patched. This includes applying the latest updates, hardening the host system, and implementing network segmentation.

4.1 Preparation

  • Ensure you have access to the latest KingSCADA installation media or update files. A roll back plan involves restoring from backup.
  • Change windows may be needed depending on the criticality of the system and impact of downtime, requiring approval from operations teams.

4.2 Implementation

  1. Step 1: Download the latest version of KingSCADA from WellinTech’s website (or your trusted source).
  2. Step 2: Stop the KingSCADA service in Windows Services.
  3. Step 3: Uninstall the existing version of KingSCADA.
  4. Step 4: Install the new version of KingSCADA.
  5. Step 5: Start the KingSCADA service.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

(No specific configuration example available as this is an application installation)

After

(Confirm latest version installed via Programs and Features or wmic product get name)

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Several security practices are relevant when dealing with SCADA applications like KingSCADA. Least privilege helps limit the impact of a compromise, while regular patching ensures known vulnerabilities are addressed. Network segmentation isolates the SCADA network from other parts of the infrastructure.

  • Practice 1: Implement least privilege to restrict access to the KingSCADA system and its data.
  • Practice 2: Establish a patch cadence for KingSCADA and related software, applying updates promptly.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

# Example PowerShell script to check KingSCADA version (requires appropriate permissions)
# Get-WmiObject Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*KingSCADA*"} | Select-Object Name, Version

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by verifying the installed version of KingSCADA is up to date. Re-run the initial detection method to ensure it no longer identifies a vulnerable installation. Perform basic service functionality tests.

  • Post-fix check: Run wmic product get name,version | findstr "KingSCADA" and confirm the version matches the latest release.
  • Re-test: Re-run the command from step 3 of Detection and Assessment to verify no older versions are present.
  • Smoke test: Verify KingSCADA can connect to its data sources and control devices as expected.
wmic product get name,version | findstr "KingSCADA"

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Update security baselines to include requirements for SCADA applications like KingSCADA. Implement checks in CI/CD pipelines to ensure only approved versions are deployed. Establish a regular patch review cycle.

  • Baselines: Update your Windows hardening baseline to include specific configuration settings for SCADA systems, such as disabling unnecessary services and restricting network access.
  • Asset and patch process: Review the security implications of all software installed on critical infrastructure systems, including KingSCADA, at least quarterly.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Updating KingSCADA could potentially disrupt operations if compatibility issues arise. Always test updates in a non-production environment first. If problems occur, roll back by restoring from the pre-update backup.

  • Risk or side effect 2: Service downtime during the update process. Mitigation: Schedule updates during planned maintenance windows.

8. References and Resources

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