CVE-2018-7779 in Wiser for KNX
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric Wiser for KNX V2.1.0 and prior, homeLYnk V2.0.1 and prior; and spaceLYnk V2.1.0 and prior, weak and unprotected FTP access could allow an attacker unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7779 affects Schneider Electric's Wiser for KNX software ecosystem, specifically targeting homeLYnk V2.0.1 and earlier versions, spaceLYnk V2.1.0 and earlier versions, along with Wiser for KNX V2.1.0 and prior releases. This weakness resides in the implementation of File Transfer Protocol access within these industrial control systems, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect sensitive network communications within building automation systems.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of weak and unprotected FTP access methods that do not implement proper security measures such as encrypted connections, robust authentication protocols, or access controls. This allows attackers to establish unauthenticated FTP sessions and potentially access sensitive configuration files, firmware images, or operational data stored on the affected systems. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287 which deals with improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1105 which covers remote file execution through unsecured protocols. The lack of encryption means that credentials and data transferred via FTP are transmitted in plaintext, making them susceptible to interception and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire building automation networks that rely on these systems for critical infrastructure management. Attackers could potentially modify configuration parameters, disrupt HVAC operations, or gain access to sensitive environmental data that could be used for further attacks against connected systems. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems that manage heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting controls within commercial and residential environments, creating potential safety risks and operational disruptions. This weakness could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain leading to more severe consequences such as denial of service or data exfiltration from critical infrastructure environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling FTP services where possible, implementing network segmentation to isolate affected systems, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized FTP access attempts. The recommended approach involves configuring strong authentication mechanisms, enabling encrypted file transfer protocols such as SFTP or FTPS, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems. Additionally, network administrators should ensure that only authorized personnel can access these systems through proper access control lists and that all communications are encrypted using industry-standard protocols. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management in industrial environments and the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems before deployment in operational environments.