CVE-2018-7813 in GUIcon
Summary
by MITRE
A Type Confusion (CWE-843) vulnerability exists in Eurotherm by Schneider Electric GUIcon V2.0 (Gold Build 683.0) on pcwin.dll which could cause remote code to be executed when parsing a GD1 file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-7813 represents a critical type confusion flaw in Eurotherm GUIcon V2.0 software version Gold Build 683.0, specifically within the pcwin.dll component. This issue falls under CWE-843, which defines type confusion as a condition where a program uses a variable or parameter of one data type when it expects another, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The vulnerability manifests during the parsing of GD1 files, which are commonly used for configuration and data exchange within industrial control systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the pcwin.dll library processes malformed GD1 file structures without proper type validation. When an attacker crafts a specially designed GD1 file, the library's parsing routine incorrectly handles type information, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code remotely. This type confusion vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of data type conversions within the software's file processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within industrial environments where Eurotherm systems are deployed for process control and monitoring. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized remote code execution privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and disruption of critical industrial processes. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in network-connected industrial control environments. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and availability of industrial control systems, potentially leading to safety hazards and operational disruptions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Schneider Electric, restricting file upload capabilities for GD1 files, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper type checking in industrial software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution through command and scripting interfaces. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious file processing activities and establish secure configuration practices for industrial control systems to prevent unauthorized access and exploitation attempts.