CVE-2018-7784 in U.motion Builder
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software versions prior to v1.3.4, this exploit occurs when the submitted data of an input string is evaluated as a command by the application. In this way, the attacker could execute code, read the stack, or cause a segmentation fault in the running application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7784 represents a critical command injection flaw within Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software versions prior to v1.3.4. This software is widely used in industrial automation environments for developing and managing motion control applications, making it a significant target for cyber attacks in critical infrastructure sectors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. When malicious input is submitted through various interface elements, the application incorrectly interprets this data as executable commands rather than simple input parameters. This fundamental flaw creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the running application, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to submit specially crafted input strings that, when processed by the application, result in unintended command execution. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential stack reading capabilities and segmentation fault conditions that can be used to achieve remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of input strings during various operational phases, including configuration management, data import processes, and user interface interactions where parameter values are accepted from external sources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial control systems that rely on Schneider Electric U.motion Builder for automation management. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication creates opportunities for attackers to gain persistent access to critical industrial processes, potentially leading to operational disruptions, data corruption, or even physical damage to equipment. The segmentation fault capabilities provide attackers with additional attack vectors for information disclosure or system instability, which can be leveraged to escalate privileges or perform advanced persistent threat operations. Organizations using this software in manufacturing, process control, or other industrial environments face significant exposure to sophisticated cyber attacks that could compromise their operational technology infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7784 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.3.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and input validation controls at multiple layers of the network architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in industrial control systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1210 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities in other software components and establish robust security monitoring procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.