CVE-2018-7769 in U.motion Builder
Summary
by MITRE
The vulnerability exists within processing of xmlserver.php in Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software versions prior to v1.3.4. The underlying SQLite database query is subject to SQL injection on the id input parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7769 resides within Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software, specifically in the xmlserver.php component that handles data processing operations. This flaw affects versions prior to v1.3.4 and represents a critical security weakness that could enable unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The affected parameter is the id input field, which serves as the primary interface for database operations within this particular software module. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks as defined by CWE-89, where malicious input can manipulate database query execution paths. The software's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization creates an exploitable condition that directly compromises database security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's reliance on direct string concatenation when building database queries rather than utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries. When the xmlserver.php script processes incoming requests containing the id parameter, it incorporates this user-provided data directly into SQL command strings without adequate validation or sanitization. This approach creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious input that alters the intended query structure, potentially allowing for data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the SQLite database backend, which means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive operational data stored within the U.motion Builder environment. This type of injection vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in input handling practices and demonstrates poor secure coding principles that violate industry standards for database security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially enable complete system infiltration and operational disruption. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the database containing configuration information, user credentials, operational parameters, and other sensitive data maintained by the U.motion Builder software. The implications are particularly severe for industrial control systems where this software may be deployed, as it could potentially provide attackers with insights into operational procedures, system configurations, and security measures. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify critical system parameters, or even disrupt operational processes by corrupting database contents. This represents a significant risk to industrial cybersecurity frameworks and could compromise the integrity of entire control systems that rely on the affected software for operations management. The potential for lateral movement within network environments increases substantially when database access is compromised, as attackers can leverage the acquired information to plan further attacks against interconnected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7769 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.3.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected software to untrusted networks. Database query parameterization should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential injection points and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control communications and credential access through database exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks targeting similar vulnerabilities in industrial control systems.