CVE-2018-7850 in Modicon M580
Summary
by MITRE
A CWE-807: Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision vulnerability exists in all versions of the Modicon M580, Modicon M340, Modicon Quantum, and Modicon Premium which could cause invalid information displayed in Unity Pro software.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7850 represents a critical security flaw classified under CWE-807, which specifically addresses reliance on untrusted inputs in security decisions. This weakness affects multiple industrial automation platforms including the Modicon M580, M340, Quantum, and Premium series from Schneider Electric, creating a significant risk in operational technology environments where security decisions are made based on potentially manipulated data inputs. The vulnerability manifests within the Unity Pro software ecosystem, which serves as the primary configuration and monitoring interface for these industrial controllers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of input data within the security decision-making processes of these industrial controllers. When the Unity Pro software processes information from the connected hardware devices, it fails to properly authenticate or validate the integrity of the data being transmitted, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject false information that could influence security-related decisions. This flaw operates at the intersection of industrial control systems security and software validation, where the absence of proper input verification mechanisms allows untrusted data to be accepted without adequate scrutiny. The vulnerability specifically impacts the display and processing of information within the software interface, potentially leading to misleading security status indicators and false operational data that could deceive operators and security personnel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information display issues, as it fundamentally undermines the trustworthiness of security monitoring within industrial environments. Operators relying on the Unity Pro software for system oversight may make incorrect decisions based on the falsified information presented, potentially leading to security breaches, operational disruptions, or safety hazards in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability's presence in multiple controller models within the same product family suggests a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident, meaning that organizations with deployments across these platforms face identical risks. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for large industrial installations where multiple controller types may be interconnected and monitored through a single software interface.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with network segmentation and access controls to limit unauthorized access to the affected systems. The implementation of secure communication protocols and encryption mechanisms can help protect data integrity during transmission between controllers and the Unity Pro software. Additionally, regular monitoring and validation of system inputs, along with comprehensive security audits of the industrial control environment, should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-807 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070, which addresses indicator removal and data manipulation, highlighting the need for robust input validation and integrity checking mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments to monitor for anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include firmware updates from Schneider Electric, along with comprehensive staff training on recognizing and responding to potential security incidents in industrial control systems.