CVE-2018-7497 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, several untrusted pointer dereference vulnerabilities have been identified, which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The CVE-2018-7497 vulnerability represents a critical untrusted pointer dereference flaw affecting multiple Advantech WebAccess products including the core WebAccess platform, WebAccess Dashboard, WebAccess Scada Node, and WebAccess/NMS components. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to the specified patches, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting industrial control systems and monitoring environments. The flaw stems from improper validation of user-supplied data within the software's memory management routines, specifically in how the application handles pointer references during data processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through untrusted pointer dereference conditions that occur when the affected software processes external inputs without adequate validation. When an attacker successfully manipulates input data to create invalid pointer references, the application attempts to access memory locations that may not be properly allocated or accessible, leading to potential code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, though the specific manifestation in this case involves untrusted pointer handling rather than simple NULL references. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial environments where these systems control critical infrastructure and process automation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7497 extends beyond typical software security concerns due to the industrial control system context in which these applications operate. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized code execution privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and disruption of critical manufacturing or monitoring processes. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted data to the vulnerable WebAccess components, which then processes this data through the flawed pointer dereference mechanism. This capability allows for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potential denial of service conditions that could impact industrial operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through valid accounts, as attackers may leverage legitimate system access to exploit these memory management flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7497 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Advantech WebAccess components to their latest versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these critical systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with the vulnerable components. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments and highlights the need for robust software security practices throughout the development lifecycle. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify exploitation attempts targeting similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.