CVE-2026-22617: Eaton IPP Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-22617 Overview

CVE-2026-22617 is an insecure cookie configuration vulnerability in Eaton Intelligent Power Protector (IPP) software. The vulnerability stems from improper cookie security settings (CWE-614: Sensitive Cookie in HTTPS Session Without 'Secure' Attribute), which could allow a network-based attacker to intercept session cookies and exploit them through a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. This flaw enables attackers positioned on the network path between the user and the IPP server to capture authentication cookies transmitted over unencrypted connections.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to hijack authenticated user sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to power management and monitoring functions within critical infrastructure environments.

Affected Products

• Eaton Intelligent Power Protector (IPP) - versions prior to the latest security update
• IPP installations without the security patch from Eaton download centre
• Network deployments where IPP web interface is accessible over untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

• April 16, 2026 - CVE-2026-22617 published to NVD
• April 16, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-22617

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-614, which specifically addresses the scenario where sensitive cookies are transmitted in HTTPS sessions without the 'Secure' attribute being set. In the context of Eaton IPP, session cookies that authenticate users to the power management interface are not properly configured with secure attributes, making them susceptible to interception.

The attack requires network-level access and user interaction, as an attacker must be positioned to intercept traffic between the victim and the IPP server. While the attack complexity is elevated due to the need for a man-in-the-middle position, successful exploitation could result in high confidentiality and integrity impacts, allowing attackers to access sensitive power infrastructure management functions or manipulate system configurations.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of the Secure flag on session cookies used by the Eaton IPP web application. When cookies lack this attribute, browsers may transmit them over unencrypted HTTP connections, even if the initial session was established over HTTPS. This implementation oversight in cookie configuration allows session tokens to be exposed during mixed-content scenarios or when users access the application via HTTP.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires the attacker to perform a man-in-the-middle attack. The exploitation scenario involves:

1. The attacker positions themselves on the network path between the victim and the Eaton IPP server (e.g., through ARP spoofing, rogue access points, or compromised network infrastructure)
2. When the victim accesses the IPP web interface, the attacker intercepts HTTP traffic
3. Session cookies without the Secure flag are captured from unencrypted requests
4. The attacker replays the captured session cookie to impersonate the authenticated user
5. With the hijacked session, the attacker gains unauthorized access to IPP management functions

The vulnerability does not have publicly known exploits at this time, and no exploit code is currently available in public repositories. For detailed technical information, refer to the Eaton Security Bulletin ETN-VA-2025-1025.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22617

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual session activity from multiple IP addresses using the same session token
• HTTP requests to the IPP interface containing session cookies that were established in HTTPS sessions
• Network traffic showing session cookies transmitted over unencrypted connections
• Authentication anomalies such as simultaneous sessions from geographically disparate locations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests to IPP servers that contain session cookies
• Implement IDS/IPS rules to detect potential ARP spoofing or man-in-the-middle attack patterns
• Review web server logs for session anomalies including unexpected IP changes mid-session
• Deploy TLS inspection to identify mixed-content scenarios where cookies may be exposed

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on Eaton IPP servers to track session usage patterns
• Configure network monitoring to alert on potential MITM attack indicators such as ARP anomalies
• Implement SIEM correlation rules to detect session hijacking patterns across IPP deployments
• Monitor for unauthorized configuration changes in IPP that could indicate compromised sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22617

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Eaton Intelligent Power Protector to the latest version available on the Eaton download centre
• Restrict network access to IPP web interfaces to trusted management networks only
• Enforce HTTPS-only access by blocking HTTP connections to IPP servers at the network level
• Implement network segmentation to isolate power management systems from untrusted network segments

Patch Information

Eaton has released a security update that addresses this insecure cookie configuration vulnerability. The fix ensures that session cookies are properly configured with the Secure attribute, preventing their transmission over unencrypted connections. Administrators should download and apply the latest version of Eaton IPP software from the official Eaton download centre. For complete patch details and download instructions, consult the Eaton Security Bulletin ETN-VA-2025-1025.

Workarounds

• Deploy a reverse proxy with enforced HTTPS and proper cookie security headers in front of IPP instances
• Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) at the network edge to prevent protocol downgrade attacks
• Use VPN connections for all remote IPP management access to encrypt traffic end-to-end
• Configure firewall rules to block all HTTP traffic to IPP servers, permitting only HTTPS connections

# Example: Configure web server to enforce secure cookies (proxy configuration)
# Add to reverse proxy configuration for Eaton IPP
Header always edit Set-Cookie ^(.*)$ $1;Secure;HttpOnly;SameSite=Strict
Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains"