CVE-2018-7835 in Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
An Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability exists in IIoT Monitor 3.1.38 which could allow access to files available to SYSTEM user.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7835 represents a critical path traversal flaw in IIoT Monitor version 3.1.38 that exposes systems to unauthorized file access. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of pathname traversal sequences, making it a well-documented and severe security weakness. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation within the IIoT Monitor application's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and potentially gain access to sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls by constructing malicious file paths that traverse directories beyond the intended restricted boundaries. When IIoT Monitor processes user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation, it becomes susceptible to directory traversal attacks where attackers can navigate to system directories and access files that should be restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the SYSTEM user's file access permissions, indicating that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive operational information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it could enable attackers to escalate their privileges and compromise the integrity of industrial IoT systems. In industrial environments where IIoT Monitor is deployed for operational technology management, this vulnerability poses significant risks to process control systems, manufacturing operations, and overall industrial security infrastructure. The potential for attackers to access system files, configuration parameters, or sensitive operational data could lead to operational disruptions, data breaches, or even physical system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7835 should prioritize immediate patching of the IIoT Monitor application to the latest version that addresses the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly when handling file paths or directory navigation requests. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit direct access to the IIoT Monitor application, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments of industrial IoT systems will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in operational technology environments.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in industrial IoT applications, where the consequences of security flaws can extend far beyond traditional information technology environments. Organizations should reference ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access when developing their threat modeling and response strategies for industrial control systems. This vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operational technology applications, including static code analysis and dynamic security assessments specifically tailored to industrial environments where the stakes of security breaches are significantly higher than typical enterprise systems.