CVE-2018-8872 in Triconex Tricon MP 3008
Summary
by MITRE
In Schneider Electric Triconex Tricon MP model 3008 firmware versions 10.0-10.4, system calls read directly from memory addresses within the control program area without any verification. Manipulating this data could allow attacker data to be copied anywhere within memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8872 affects Schneider Electric Triconex Tricon MP model 3008 industrial control systems operating on firmware versions 10.0 through 10.4. This represents a critical security flaw within industrial control system infrastructure that could potentially enable unauthorized data manipulation and system compromise. The affected device operates within critical infrastructure environments where reliability and security are paramount for operational continuity and safety.
The technical flaw resides in the system's handling of memory access operations during system calls. Specifically, the firmware fails to implement proper validation mechanisms when reading from memory addresses within the control program area. This lack of input validation creates a direct memory access vulnerability where malicious actors can manipulate memory read operations to copy attacker-controlled data anywhere within the system's memory space. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory access control mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized memory operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the control system environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain the ability to modify control program data, inject malicious code into the system memory, or manipulate operational parameters that govern industrial processes. This capability represents a significant risk to industrial control system security and could potentially lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where these devices control industrial processes such as manufacturing, chemical processing, or power generation systems.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in memory management, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in system calls. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities is particularly concerning in industrial environments where the attack surface may be limited but the potential impact is severe. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could enable techniques such as privilege escalation and persistence within industrial control systems, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to critical infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring of system calls to prevent exploitation.
The remediation approach should prioritize firmware updates from Schneider Electric to address the specific memory access validation issues. Additional defensive measures include implementing network access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of industrial control system environments. Given the critical nature of these systems, organizations should also consider implementing air-gapped security measures and regular vulnerability assessments to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory-related vulnerabilities.