CVE-2018-7786 in U.motion Builder
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software versions prior to v1.3.4, a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists which could allow injection of malicious scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The CVE-2018-7786 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw discovered in Schneider Electric U.motion Builder software versions prior to v1.3.4. This vulnerability resides within the web-based interface of the industrial automation software platform that is widely used for programming and configuring motion control systems in manufacturing environments. The flaw specifically affects the software's handling of user input within web interfaces, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent script code that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability impacts organizations utilizing industrial control systems where U.motion Builder serves as a primary development environment for motion control applications.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web components of the U.motion Builder interface. When users interact with the software's web-based management console or configuration tools, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This insufficient sanitization allows attackers to embed malicious script payloads within input fields, configuration parameters, or other user-controllable data elements. The vulnerability manifests when the application displays this unsanitized data without proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate escaping mechanisms, creating conditions where browser-based scripts can execute in the victim's browser context. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web output rendering.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7786 extends beyond typical web application security concerns due to the industrial control environment in which U.motion Builder operates. Organizations using this software in manufacturing, process control, and industrial automation contexts face potential risks including unauthorized access to sensitive operational parameters, disruption of control system operations, and potential compromise of physical infrastructure. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject scripts that could manipulate control system configurations. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where industrial control systems are connected to corporate networks, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with additional footholds for lateral movement. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious web content, and T1071 which involves application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7786 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.3.4 or later, which contain proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general corporate networks, deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, and conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web-based industrial control interfaces. Additionally, user education regarding phishing and social engineering attacks remains crucial, as attackers may attempt to exploit this vulnerability through crafted web links or attachments. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of industrial control system environments should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial software platforms. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of updated software to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial control system configurations, as the operational integrity of these systems remains paramount in manufacturing environments.