CVE-2018-7525 in CX-Supervisor
Summary
by MITRE
In Omron CX-Supervisor Versions 3.30 and prior, processing a malformed packet by a certain executable may cause an untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7525 affects Omron CX-Supervisor software versions 3.30 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper input validation within the application's packet processing functionality. This issue manifests when the software encounters malformed network packets that are processed by a specific executable component, creating a scenario where untrusted data can influence memory access patterns. The vulnerability resides in the software's failure to properly validate packet structures before attempting to dereference pointers that are derived from external input sources, thereby exposing the system to potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of untrusted pointer dereference, which is classified as CWE-476 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This weakness occurs when a program attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly validated or sanitized, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The flaw specifically impacts the CX-Supervisor software's network communication stack, where it processes incoming packets without adequate safeguards against malformed or maliciously crafted data. When an attacker sends specially crafted packets to a vulnerable system, the software's packet handler attempts to process these inputs through a pointer that may point to an invalid memory location, creating an exploitable condition.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to industrial control systems and automation environments where Omron CX-Supervisor software is deployed. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where these systems are connected to networks or exposed to untrusted network traffic, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. The potential impact includes complete system compromise, unauthorized access to industrial processes, and possible disruption of critical operations. Organizations utilizing these systems face the risk of data breaches, operational disruptions, and potential safety hazards in industrial environments where automation systems control physical processes. The vulnerability's exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process, potentially leading to persistent access and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-7525 primarily involves upgrading to Omron CX-Supervisor version 3.31 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the pointer dereference vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted network traffic, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's network infiltration techniques. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous packet patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software across their infrastructure and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to verify that the vulnerability has been resolved without introducing compatibility issues in industrial control environments where system stability is paramount.