CVE-2018-12979 in e!DISPLAY 762-3000
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on WAGO e!DISPLAY 762-3000 through 762-3003 devices with firmware before FW 02. Weak permissions allow an authenticated user to overwrite critical files by abusing the unrestricted file upload in the WBM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12979 affects WAGO e!DISPLAY 762-3000 through 762-3003 industrial display devices running firmware versions prior to FW 02. This represents a critical security flaw that combines weak file permissions with an unrestricted file upload capability, creating a severe attack vector for authenticated adversaries. The affected devices are commonly deployed in industrial environments for human-machine interfaces and control systems, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise operational technology infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the web-based management (WBM) interface of these devices. An authenticated user can exploit the unrestricted file upload functionality to place malicious files in critical system directories. The weak file permissions allow these uploaded files to overwrite essential system components, potentially leading to complete device compromise. This flaw operates under CWE-276, which classifies improper file permissions as a common weakness in access control mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security by design principles where the system fails to properly validate file types and enforce appropriate access controls during file operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution and system compromise without requiring elevated privileges. The ability to overwrite critical files means attackers can modify device configurations, install backdoors, or disrupt industrial processes. In industrial control systems, this could lead to production downtime, safety hazards, or data integrity compromises. The attack requires only authentication credentials, which may be obtained through social engineering, credential theft, or other initial compromise techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where device access credentials are not adequately protected or rotated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12979 should focus on immediate firmware updates to version FW 02 or later, which contain the necessary security patches. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and enforce strict access control policies. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include vulnerability scanning for similar file upload and permission flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for execution and T1078 for valid accounts, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of file system modifications and authentication activities. Additionally, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions and restricting file upload capabilities to trusted users only will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.