CVE-2018-7778 in Evlink Charging Station
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric Evlink Charging Station versions prior to v3.2.0-12_v1, the Web Interface has an issue that may allow a remote attacker to gain administrative privileges without properly authenticating remote users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7778 affects Schneider Electric Evlink Charging Station devices running firmware versions prior to v3.2.0-12_v1, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This weakness resides within the web interface component of the charging station software, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to escalate privileges without proper authentication mechanisms. The flaw specifically targets the authentication process, enabling unauthorized users to assume administrative roles and gain full control over the charging station's operational parameters and configuration settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication controls within the web interface authentication flow. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass standard authentication checks, potentially leveraging improperly validated user credentials or manipulated session tokens. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in public charging environments where devices are often deployed in unsecured locations. This authentication bypass allows attackers to perform administrative functions such as modifying charging parameters, accessing user data, changing network configurations, and potentially disrupting charging services for other users.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7778 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture that could lead to widespread service disruption and potential safety concerns. Charging station administrators may lose control over their deployed infrastructure, enabling attackers to modify charging rates, disable services, or create unauthorized access points for malicious activities. In environments where charging stations are connected to critical infrastructure or managed through centralized systems, this vulnerability could facilitate broader attacks against the organization's network perimeter. The compromise of individual charging stations could serve as a foothold for attackers to pivot to other network resources or target connected vehicles and charging management systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version v3.2.0-12_v1 or later, which address the authentication bypass vulnerability through proper input validation and strengthened authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate charging station infrastructure from critical business networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized administrative access attempts. Security configurations should enforce strong authentication requirements, including multi-factor authentication where possible, and regular security audits should verify that charging station devices maintain proper security postures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a potential vector for attacks categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patching.