CVE-2018-7501 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 SQL injection vulnerabilities have been identified, which may allow an attacker to disclose sensitive information from the host.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-7501 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting multiple Advantech WebAccess products including the main WebAccess platform, WebAccess Dashboard, WebAccess Scada Node, and WebAccess/NMS components. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to the specified patches, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems and network management environments that rely on these platforms. The affected systems typically serve as critical infrastructure management interfaces, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise operational technology environments. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the database systems that support these industrial applications, potentially exposing confidential operational information, user credentials, and system configurations that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the WebAccess applications' database interaction components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL commands through the application's user interface or API endpoints, which are then executed against the underlying database without proper sanitization. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without adequate escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability occurs at the application layer where user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into database queries rather than being properly parameterized or escaped, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate database operations and extract information from the backend systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical industrial system information that could be used for reconnaissance and subsequent attacks. The affected systems typically handle sensitive operational data including user accounts, system configurations, device information, and potentially production process details that could be valuable for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1005 for data from local system, representing a significant threat to industrial control system security. Organizations utilizing these platforms may face regulatory compliance issues, operational disruptions, and potential physical security risks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to their industrial environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7501 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Advantech WebAccess components to the latest available versions that address the SQL injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these industrial management systems and enforce strict access controls through authentication mechanisms. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring should be considered as additional protective measures. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software within their industrial control environments and establish monitoring procedures for detecting potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial software development and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of critical infrastructure management platforms.