CVE-2018-7522 in Triconex Tricon MP 3008
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric Triconex Tricon MP model 3008 firmware versions 10.0-10.4, when a system call is made, registers are stored to a fixed memory location. Modifying the data in this location could allow attackers to gain supervisor-level access and control system states.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7522 affects Schneider Electric Triconex Tricon MP model 3008 systems operating with firmware versions 10.0 through 10.4. This represents a critical security flaw within industrial control systems that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of operational technology environments. The issue stems from improper memory management practices during system call execution, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation that could compromise entire industrial processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the storage of processor registers to a fixed memory location during system call operations. This fixed memory addressing scheme creates a predictable attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate specific memory locations to alter system behavior. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers can exploit this by modifying the data stored in the predetermined memory location, effectively allowing them to manipulate the system's execution flow and gain supervisor-level privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for industrial environments where Triconex systems control critical infrastructure processes. The ability to achieve supervisor-level access means attackers can modify system states, alter operational parameters, and potentially cause physical damage to industrial equipment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require physical access to the device, as the vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers process injection and privilege escalation methods, and T1068, focusing on local privilege escalation through system call manipulation.
The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass potential cascading failures throughout industrial control networks. Once an attacker gains supervisor-level access, they can manipulate process variables, alter safety parameters, and potentially cause dangerous operational conditions. The fixed memory location approach creates a persistent vulnerability that remains exploitable across multiple system calls, making it particularly dangerous in continuous operation environments where system stability is paramount. Organizations relying on these systems must consider the broader implications for their industrial control system security posture, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass traditional security controls and gain deep access to critical manufacturing and process control operations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Schneider Electric to address the identified memory management flaw, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious system call patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their industrial control environments to identify similar memory management issues in other proprietary systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operational technology components before deployment in production environments.