CVE-2018-18981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform versions 2.90 and earlier are vulnerable to a security issue that can lead to denial-of-service attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-18981

The vulnerability in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform allows attackers to exploit service ports, causing memory consumption and potential denial-of-service situations.

What is CVE-2018-18981?

The CVE-2018-18981 vulnerability affects Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform versions 2.90 and older, enabling attackers to disrupt services without credentials.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18981

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in excessive memory consumption, leading to partial or complete denial-of-service scenarios for affected services.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18981

The technical aspects of the CVE-2018-18981 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a remote unauthenticated attacker sending crafted packets to service ports, causing memory consumption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform v2.90 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit service ports by sending specifically designed packets, leading to memory consumption and denial-of-service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent CVE-2018-18981:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement firewall rules to restrict access to service ports
Regularly monitor network traffic for any unusual patterns

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing
Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches
Educate users and administrators on best security practices

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Rockwell Automation to address the vulnerability