CVE-2020-7497 in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert
Summary
by MITRE
A CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and prior (formerly known as Vijeo XD)which could cause arbitrary application execution when the computer starts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7497 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 resides within industrial automation software designed for operator terminal systems and poses significant security risks to operational technology environments. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file paths in ways that bypass intended security restrictions, potentially enabling unauthorized access to system resources and execution of malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the application's file handling mechanisms. When the software initializes or processes certain configuration files, it fails to properly validate user-supplied path information, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious paths that traverse outside the intended directory boundaries. This weakness specifically manifests during system startup when the application loads configuration data, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited before the system reaches its normal operational state. The vulnerability enables attackers to place malicious files in strategic locations within the file system, potentially leading to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access violations and can result in complete system compromise within industrial control environments. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain persistent access to operator terminals, potentially disrupting critical processes or gaining unauthorized control over industrial operations. The timing of the vulnerability during system startup makes it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to establish backdoors before normal security monitoring systems are fully operational. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to maintain long-term presence within operational technology networks without detection, aligning with tactics described in the attack pattern framework where adversaries seek to establish persistence early in the compromise lifecycle.
Organizations utilizing EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert software should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should implement additional protective measures including network segmentation, file system access controls, and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a path traversal issue directly relates to the attack pattern known as "Path Traversal" in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the "File and Directory Permissions" and "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting write permissions to critical application directories to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.