CVE-2018-20720 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-20720 affecting ABB Relion 630 devices, allowing remote attackers to trigger a denial of service by sending a reboot command. Find mitigation steps and necessary updates.
CVE-2018-20720 was published on January 16, 2019, and affects ABB Relion 630 devices. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service (reboot) on specific versions of the affected devices.
Understanding CVE-2018-20720
This CVE entry highlights a security issue that allows attackers to trigger a reboot on vulnerable ABB Relion 630 devices through a specific command.
What is CVE-2018-20720?
The vulnerability in CVE-2018-20720 enables remote attackers to initiate a denial of service attack by sending a reboot command via an SPA message to ABB Relion 630 devices with specific versions.
The Impact of CVE-2018-20720
The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a complete denial of service, causing the affected devices to reboot unexpectedly, disrupting their normal operation.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-20720
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, including the description of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
Remote attackers can trigger a denial of service (reboot) on ABB Relion 630 devices with versions 1.1 before 1.1.0.C0, 1.2 before 1.2.0.B3, and 1.3 before 1.3.0.A6 by sending a specific reboot command through an SPA message.
Affected Systems and Versions
- ABB Relion 630 devices with versions 1.1 before 1.1.0.C0
- ABB Relion 630 devices with versions 1.2 before 1.2.0.B3
- ABB Relion 630 devices with versions 1.3 before 1.3.0.A6
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending a reboot command through an SPA message to the affected ABB Relion 630 devices, triggering an unexpected reboot.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-20720 and enhance security, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity
- Apply access controls to restrict unauthorized commands
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update firmware and software on ABB Relion 630 devices
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities
- Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by ABB to address the CVE-2018-20720 vulnerability