CVE-2017-9970 in StruxureOn Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's StruxureOn Gateway versions 1.1.3 and prior. Uploading a zip which contains carefully crafted metadata allows for the file to be uploaded to any directory on the host machine information which could lead to remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9970 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Schneider Electric's StruxureOn Gateway software version 1.1.3 and earlier releases. This industrial control system component serves as a gateway for communication between building automation systems and enterprise networks, making it a prime target for sophisticated cyber attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file upload functionality, specifically when processing zip archives containing maliciously crafted metadata. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the extraction process and place malicious files in arbitrary directories on the target system, bypassing normal security boundaries that would typically prevent such unauthorized file placement.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a directory traversal attack pattern that leverages the zip file's metadata to manipulate the extraction path during file decompression. When the StruxureOn Gateway processes an uploaded zip file, it fails to properly sanitize the file paths embedded within the archive's metadata, enabling attackers to specify absolute paths or use directory traversal sequences such as ../ to navigate outside the intended extraction directory. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload handling where user-supplied files are processed without adequate validation of their contents or intended destination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential disruption of critical infrastructure operations. Industrial environments relying on StruxureOn Gateway for building automation and energy management may face unauthorized access to control systems, data exfiltration, and potential physical damage to equipment through malicious code execution. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, or deploy additional malware payloads that could propagate throughout the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these gateways often operate in environments where network segmentation is minimal, and direct network access to critical infrastructure systems may be limited, making such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous for operational technology environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of StruxureOn Gateway software, implementing network segmentation to isolate affected systems, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file upload activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems, particularly around file handling and input validation. Security controls should include mandatory file type validation, implementation of strict file path sanitization, and regular security assessments of industrial control system components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for remote code execution through file uploads and T1078.004 for legitimate credentials use, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring and access control measures. Additional defensive strategies should include network intrusion detection systems configured to identify suspicious zip file processing activities, regular vulnerability assessments of industrial control systems, and implementation of principle of least privilege access controls for system administrators and file upload functions.