CVE-2018-7501 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities have been identified in Advantech WebAccess versions V8.2_20170817 and earlier, V8.3.0 and earlier, Dashboard V.2.0.15 and earlier, Scada Node prior to 8.3.1, and WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3 and earlier, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Understanding CVE-2018-7501

What is CVE-2018-7501?

CVE-2018-7501 refers to multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities found in various Advantech WebAccess products, enabling unauthorized individuals to extract confidential information.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7501

These vulnerabilities could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored within the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7501

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, specifically 'SQL Injection' (CWE-89), allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries.

Affected Systems and Versions

Advantech WebAccess versions V8.2_20170817 and earlier
WebAccess versions V8.3.0 and earlier
WebAccess Dashboard versions V.2.0.15 and earlier
WebAccess Scada Node versions prior to 8.3.1
WebAccess/NMS 2.0.3 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious SQL commands into input fields, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the database.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest patched versions of the affected Advantech WebAccess products.
Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit database activities for any suspicious behavior.
Educate users on secure coding practices to mitigate SQL injection risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Advantech to address the SQL injection vulnerabilities in the affected products.