CVE-2020-25188 in SCADA
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2020
An attacker who convinces a valid user to open a specially crafted project file to exploit could execute code under the privileges of the application due to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability on the LAquis SCADA (Versions prior to 4.3.1.870).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25188 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the LAquis SCADA software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.3.1.870. This vulnerability resides in the project file handling mechanism of the SCADA application, creating a potential attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate legitimate user interactions to achieve remote code execution. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted project files, exploiting memory access violations that occur beyond the intended bounds of allocated memory regions.
This vulnerability operates through a classic buffer over-read condition that falls under the CWE-125 weakness classification, where the application fails to properly validate input boundaries during project file parsing operations. The out-of-bounds read occurs within the memory management subsystem of the SCADA software, specifically during the deserialization or parsing of project file structures. Attackers can construct malicious project files that, when opened by a legitimate user, trigger memory access violations that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running application process. The attack requires social engineering to convince a valid user to open the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where user trust is often implicit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments where LAquis SCADA is deployed. The privilege escalation potential means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control over the SCADA application, potentially leading to unauthorized modification of industrial processes, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SCADA systems control critical processes such as power generation, water treatment, or manufacturing operations.
Organizations utilizing LAquis SCADA software must implement immediate mitigations including updating to version 4.3.1.870 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit user access to potentially malicious project files, while regular security awareness training should be conducted to prevent social engineering attacks. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user permissions on SCADA systems can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in industrial control systems, highlighting the need for robust software security practices in operational technology environments where traditional cybersecurity measures may not be sufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure components.