CVE-2020-7495 in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert
Summary
by MITRE
A CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability during zip file extraction exists in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and prior (formerly known as Vijeo XD) which could cause unauthorized write access outside of expected path folder when opening the project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7495 represents a critical path traversal flaw classified under CWE-22 that affects EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and earlier versions, formerly known as Vijeo XD. This vulnerability manifests during the extraction process of zip project files within the software environment, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization during zip file processing operations. When the software handles project files that contain maliciously crafted paths within zip archives, it fails to properly restrict file extraction to the designated working directory. This improper limitation allows attackers to manipulate the extraction process by embedding directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the file paths contained within the zip archive. The flaw essentially permits the software to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially overwriting critical system files or creating backdoor access points.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. By carefully crafting zip files with malicious path structures, an attacker could potentially overwrite executable files, configuration settings, or system binaries with malicious payloads. This capability represents a severe threat to industrial control systems and SCADA environments where EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert is commonly deployed, as it could lead to system compromise, operational disruption, or even physical safety hazards in critical infrastructure settings.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access or execute malicious code. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-22's broader category of path traversal attacks that are frequently exploited in industrial environments where software applications lack proper input validation. Organizations utilizing this software face significant risk, particularly in environments where project files might be received from untrusted sources or where users have elevated privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7495 should include immediate patching of the affected software to the latest available version that addresses the path traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent the automatic extraction of zip files from untrusted sources, and consider deploying network segmentation to limit access to systems running the vulnerable software. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that no malicious files have been successfully extracted to unauthorized locations, and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual file creation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of unauthorized code and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to quickly recover from potential compromise scenarios.