CVE-2018-10589 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
In Advantech WebAccess versions V8.2_20170817 and prior, WebAccess versions V8.3.0 and prior, WebAccess Dashboard versions V.2.0.15 and prior, WebAccess Scada Node versions prior to 8.3.1, and WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3 and prior, a path transversal vulnerability has been identified, which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-10589 represents a critical path traversal flaw affecting multiple Advantech WebAccess products including the main WebAccess platform, WebAccess Dashboard, WebAccess Scada Node, and WebAccess/NMS components. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data in file access mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate file system access controls. The affected versions encompass a broad range of Advantech's industrial automation and monitoring solutions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology environments where these systems are deployed.
The technical exploitation of this path traversal vulnerability occurs when the affected WebAccess applications process user input without adequate validation of file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to access files outside of intended directories. This flaw specifically impacts the file handling routines within the WebAccess platform where web requests containing malicious path sequences are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying file system functions. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 Path Traversal which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file path inputs, allowing unauthorized access to files and directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the WebAccess application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive configuration files, system credentials, and potentially escalate privileges to execute malicious code on the target system. This represents a significant risk in industrial control systems and monitoring environments where WebAccess is deployed, as it could compromise the integrity of critical infrastructure monitoring and control processes. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where the WebAccess applications are exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative access to the system is not properly restricted, creating opportunities for attackers to move laterally within network segments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest patches and updates provided by Advantech to address the path traversal flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of WebAccess applications to untrusted networks, while monitoring and logging of file access patterns should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing commands through the compromised WebAccess application, and potentially T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services if the vulnerability is exploited through network-accessible interfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in similar industrial automation platforms and ensure proper input validation is implemented across all file handling operations within their OT environments.