CVE-2018-7231 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Schneider Electric's Pelco Sarix Professional firmware versions prior to 3.29.71 are vulnerable to a command execution flaw due to inadequate validation of shell meta characters.

Understanding CVE-2018-7231

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Schneider Electric's Pelco Sarix Professional.

What is CVE-2018-7231?

The vulnerability in Pelco Sarix Professional firmware versions before 3.29.71 allows attackers to execute commands by exploiting the lack of validation for shell meta characters related to the 'system.opkg.remove' value.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7231

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it enables unauthorized command execution on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7231

Schneider Electric's Pelco Sarix Professional is susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in firmware versions prior to 3.29.71 allows for the execution of commands due to the absence of validation for shell meta characters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Pelco Sarix Professional
Vendor: Schneider Electric SE
Versions Affected: All firmware versions prior to 3.29.71

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the 'system.opkg.remove' value, leading to unauthorized command execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-7231, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware to version 3.29.71 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Schneider Electric.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Schneider Electric to ensure the security of Pelco Sarix Professional systems.