CVE-2018-7823 in SoMachine Basic
Summary
by MITRE
A Environment (CWE-2) vulnerability exists in SoMachine Basic, all versions, and Modicon M221(all references, all versions prior to firmware V1.10.0.0) which could cause remote launch of SoMachine Basic when sending crafted ethernet message.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-7823 represents a critical environment variable manipulation issue affecting industrial automation software and hardware systems. This flaw exists within SoMachine Basic software across all versions and Modicon M221 hardware units prior to firmware version V1.10.0.0, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to initiate the SoMachine Basic application through the transmission of specially crafted ethernet messages, effectively bypassing normal operational security controls and potentially enabling unauthorized system access. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category 2, which specifically addresses environment variable weaknesses that can be exploited to manipulate system behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ethernet communication protocols used by these industrial devices. When properly crafted network packets are sent to affected systems, they trigger the execution of SoMachine Basic application remotely without requiring physical access or traditional authentication mechanisms. This type of remote code execution vulnerability in industrial control systems represents a severe threat to operational technology environments where system integrity and security are paramount. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject malicious commands or initiate unauthorized software processes through the network interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote execution capabilities and poses significant risks to industrial control system security. Organizations utilizing affected SoMachine Basic software and Modicon M221 hardware could face unauthorized access to their automation environments, potentially leading to disruption of critical processes, data manipulation, or even physical safety hazards in industrial settings. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of these systems by allowing network-based exploitation without traditional authentication requirements. This type of attack vector is particularly concerning in industrial environments where systems may operate continuously and where unauthorized access could result in production downtime, safety incidents, or regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is broad given that these systems are typically connected to networks and may be exposed to external threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7823 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions V1.10.0.0 or later for Modicon M221 hardware, while ensuring that SoMachine Basic software is updated to the latest available versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, including the implementation of firewalls and network access controls to prevent unauthorized ethernet communication. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious ethernet traffic patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote access tools and execution through network protocols, while the CWE-2 classification indicates the need for proper environment variable validation and secure coding practices in industrial software development. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to identify exploitation attempts targeting industrial control system communication protocols.