CVE-2018-7815 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 c3core.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-2018-7815 represents a critical type confusion issue within Eurotherm's GUIcon V2.0 software, specifically affecting the c3core.dll component. This flaw falls under CWE-843, which defines type confusion as a condition where a program incorrectly handles data that is expected to be of one type but is actually of another type. The vulnerability manifests during the parsing of GD1 files, which are commonly used for configuration and data exchange within industrial control systems. The affected software version Eurotherm GUIcon V2.0 Gold Build 683.0 demonstrates a fundamental flaw in its input validation mechanisms, where the application fails to properly verify the type of data structures it processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted GD1 file is processed by the vulnerable application. The c3core.dll library, which serves as a core component for handling various data operations, encounters a situation where it interprets data as one type while the actual data structure belongs to a different type. This type mismatch creates a scenario where memory corruption can occur, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the program's memory layout and execution flow by supplying specially crafted input that confuses the type handling logic within the DLL module.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to industrial control systems that rely on Eurotherm equipment for process control and monitoring. The remote code execution capability means that attackers could potentially compromise entire industrial networks without requiring physical access to the systems. The vulnerability affects systems where GD1 files are processed, which could include configuration updates, data transfers, or automated data exchange processes. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning in environments where such files might be received from external sources or through network-based operations. The impact extends beyond simple system compromise to potential disruption of critical industrial processes and possible safety hazards in manufacturing environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7815 should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by Schneider Electric, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running the affected software versions and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file transfer activities or attempts to access the vulnerable components. Additionally, input validation controls should be strengthened to prevent malformed GD1 files from being processed, and regular security assessments should be performed to identify similar type confusion vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where system integrity and safety are paramount.