CVE-2018-7495 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, an external control of file name or path vulnerability has been identified, which may allow an attacker to delete files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-7495 represents a critical external control of file name or path weakness that affects multiple Advantech WebAccess products across several versions. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-73, which specifically addresses external control of file name or path, making it a well-documented and serious security concern. The affected systems include WebAccess versions up to V8.2_20170817, V8.3.0, WebAccess Dashboard versions up to V.2.0.15, WebAccess Scada Node versions prior to 8.3.1, and WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3, indicating a widespread impact across Advantech's industrial automation and monitoring platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters through external inputs, enabling unauthorized file deletion operations within the affected systems. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications use user-supplied data to construct file paths without proper validation or sanitization, creating opportunities for path traversal attacks and arbitrary file operations. The flaw essentially permits attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that the application will then attempt to delete, potentially compromising critical system files, configuration data, or operational databases that are essential for industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, as it can severely compromise the integrity and availability of industrial control systems that rely on Advantech WebAccess platforms. In industrial environments, such vulnerabilities can lead to significant operational disruptions, potential safety hazards, and system downtime that affects manufacturing processes, energy management, and other critical infrastructure operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these systems are often deployed in environments where system availability and data integrity are paramount, making the potential for cascading failures and operational disruptions substantial. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers the use of file deletion methods to cover tracks or disrupt operations.
Organizations utilizing these affected Advantech products should prioritize immediate mitigation through official vendor patches and updates, as recommended by the vendor's security advisories. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path operations, restricting file system permissions for WebAccess applications, and deploying network segmentation to limit access to these critical systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file deletion patterns and unauthorized access attempts to industrial control system interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in industrial automation environments and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of operational technology systems to prevent exploitation that could result in significant business disruption or safety incidents.