CVE-2017-9959 in U.motion Builder
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's U.motion Builder software versions 1.2.1 and prior in which the system accepts reboot in session from unauthenticated users, supporting a denial of service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9959 affects Schneider Electric's U.motion Builder software version 1.2.1 and earlier releases, presenting a significant security weakness that enables unauthorized users to trigger system reboots without proper authentication. This flaw represents a critical design oversight in the software's session management and access control mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate user credentials before accepting reboot commands. The vulnerability exists within the authentication framework of the software, allowing any remote attacker to exploit this weakness and initiate system restarts at will.
This security flaw directly relates to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically targeting weak session management and authentication bypass conditions. The vulnerability operates through a fundamental failure in the software's access control implementation where reboot functionality is not properly secured against unauthorized access. The system accepts reboot commands regardless of user authentication status, creating an attack surface that enables malicious actors to disrupt service availability through deliberate system restarts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9959 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can be leveraged to create persistent disruptions in industrial control systems where U.motion Builder is deployed. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to repeatedly reboot systems, potentially causing extended downtime and operational disruptions in critical infrastructure environments. The attack vector requires no special privileges or credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed by any remote user who can access the system. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks and can be classified under the broader category of system disruption tactics.
The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by its simplicity and the fact that it does not require specialized knowledge or tools to execute. An attacker can simply send a reboot command to the system without authentication, potentially causing cascading effects in larger industrial networks where multiple interconnected systems depend on the stability of the U.motion Builder platform. The lack of proper access controls and session validation creates a persistent threat that can be repeatedly exploited until the vulnerability is patched or mitigated through proper configuration changes.
Organizations utilizing Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official patches provided by the vendor. The recommended mitigation strategy includes updating to version 1.2.2 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict direct access to the affected system. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized reboot attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other industrial control system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms in industrial environments where system stability and continuous operation are paramount to operational safety and business continuity.