CVE-2018-5445 in WebAccess SCADA
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal issue was discovered in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA versions prior to V8.2_20170817. An attacker has read access to files within the directory structure of the target device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5445 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA software versions prior to V8.2_20170817. This weakness allows remote attackers to access files and directories beyond the intended scope of the application, potentially exposing sensitive system information and configuration data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's file handling routines, enabling malicious actors to manipulate file paths through crafted requests. Such path traversal vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The attack vector typically involves the manipulation of directory path references through special characters like double dots or forward slashes that allow navigation outside the intended file access boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive system files, configuration parameters, database contents, and potentially even execute arbitrary code if the application processes the accessed files in a dangerous manner. The implications are particularly severe in industrial control systems environments where WebAccess/SCADA platforms are commonly deployed, as these systems often contain critical infrastructure information and operational data that could be exploited for further attacks or system disruption. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of data but also the integrity and availability of the targeted systems, making it a significant concern for industrial cybersecurity. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) if the attacker can leverage the read access to execute additional malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5445 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Advantech to address the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that all affected WebAccess/SCADA installations are updated to version V8.2_20170817 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent unauthorized directory traversal. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened at all application entry points to prevent manipulation of file path parameters, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to traverse directory structures that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in the broader industrial control system environment, as path traversal vulnerabilities often indicate broader security weaknesses in industrial web applications that may be susceptible to additional attack vectors.