CVE-2018-7773 in U.motion Builder
Summary
by MITRE
The vulnerability exists within processing of nfcserver.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 sessionid input parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7773 resides within Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software, specifically in the nfcserver.php component that handles NFC (Near Field Communication) server functionality. This issue affects versions prior to v1.3.4 and represents a critical security flaw that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web application's backend processing logic, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical flaw manifests as a SQL injection vulnerability in the sessionid input parameter, which is processed by an SQLite database query within the nfcserver.php script. When user-supplied sessionid data is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that alters the intended query execution. This allows threat actors to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract confidential data, modify database records, or potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability follows the CWE-89 classification for SQL injection, which is a well-documented weakness in application security that continues to plague web applications due to inadequate input validation practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the NFC server functionality and potentially compromise the entire U.motion Builder environment. Given that this software is used in industrial control systems and building automation environments, successful exploitation could lead to disruption of critical infrastructure operations, unauthorized system modifications, or even physical security breaches. The vulnerability affects the authentication and session management components, making it particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users and maintain persistent access to the system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, representing a comprehensive attack vector against industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7773 require immediate patching of affected Schneider Electric U.motion Builder installations to version 1.3.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the application level, including proper parameterization of database queries and sanitization of all user inputs. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable nfcserver.php component to untrusted networks. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of industrial control systems are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the U.motion Builder ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments where software vulnerabilities can have cascading effects on operational technology infrastructure and physical security systems.