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CVE-2018-7790: Schneider Electric Modicon M221 Firmware: Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay

CVE-2018-7790 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and NVD lists Schneider Electric Modicon M221 Firmware as the affected product. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

An Information Management Error vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's Modicon M221 product (all references, all versions prior to firmware V1.6.2.0). The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to replay authentication sequences. If an attacker exploits this vulnerability and connects to a Modicon M221, the attacker can upload the original program from the PLC.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-294: Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay

A capture-replay flaw exists when the design of the product makes it possible for a malicious user to sniff network traffic and bypass authentication by replaying it to the server in question to the same effect as the original message (or with minor changes).

Affected products

  • Schneider Electric Modicon M221 Firmware: before 1.6.2.0

References