CVE-2018-7531 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability related to incorrect input validation has been identified in OSIsoft PI Data Archive versions older than 2017. Attackers who are not authenticated can exploit this issue by sending unverified custom requests to cause a server crash.

Understanding CVE-2018-7531

An Improper Input Validation issue was discovered in OSIsoft PI Data Archive versions 2017 and prior. Unauthenticated users may use unvalidated custom requests to crash the server.

What is CVE-2018-7531?

CVE-2018-7531 is a vulnerability in OSIsoft PI Data Archive that allows unauthenticated attackers to crash the server by sending unverified custom requests due to incorrect input validation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7531

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the server.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7531

A detailed look at the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Type: Improper Input Validation
Affected Versions: OSIsoft PI Data Archive versions older than 2017
Attack Vector: Remote
Complexity: Low
Authentication: Not required

Affected Systems and Versions

OSIsoft PI Data Archive versions older than 2017

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send unverified custom requests to the server, exploiting the lack of proper input validation, leading to a server crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-7531 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of OSIsoft PI Data Archive (2017 or newer).
Implement network security measures to restrict unauthenticated access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software for security patches.
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by OSIsoft for the affected versions.