CVE-2018-17889 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

PI Studio HMI and PI Studio by WECON Technology Co., Ltd. are vulnerable to an XML external entity injection attack, potentially leading to sensitive information exposure.

Understanding CVE-2018-17889

What is CVE-2018-17889?

The XMLParser in PI Studio HMI versions 4.1.9 and earlier, as well as PI Studio versions 4.2.34 and earlier, within WECON Technology Co., Ltd., is susceptible to an XML external entity injection attack while parsing project files. This vulnerability has the potential to expose sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17889

This vulnerability could allow malicious actors to access sensitive data, leading to potential information exposure and compromise of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17889

Vulnerability Description

The XMLParser in PI Studio HMI and PI Studio is vulnerable to an XML external entity injection attack, which can result in the disclosure of sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PI Studio HMI
Vendor: WECON
Versions Affected: 4.1.9 and prior
Product: PI Studio
Vendor: WECON
Versions Affected: 4.2.34 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs when parsing project files, allowing threat actors to inject malicious XML entities and potentially access sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest patched versions of PI Studio HMI and PI Studio to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malicious XML entity injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from WECON Technology Co., Ltd.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the vendor to address the XML external entity injection vulnerability in PI Studio HMI and PI Studio.