CVE-2018-7783 : Security Advisory and Response

Schneider Electric SoMachine Basic prior to v1.6 SP1 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue that can be exploited by attackers to retrieve arbitrary data through out-of-band (OOB) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-7783

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Schneider Electric's SoMachine Basic software that allows for the disclosure of arbitrary data.

What is CVE-2018-7783?

The vulnerability in SoMachine Basic prior to v1.6 SP1 enables attackers to exploit XML parsing to access sensitive data through an out-of-band attack.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7783

The XXE vulnerability in SoMachine Basic can lead to unauthorized access and data disclosure, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7783

Schneider Electric SoMachine Basic prior to v1.6 SP1 is susceptible to exploitation due to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input sanitization during XML parsing, allowing attackers to retrieve arbitrary data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: SoMachine Basic
Vendor: Schneider Electric SE
Vulnerable Version: SoMachine Basic prior to v1.6 SP1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the DTD parameter entities technique to trigger the XXE vulnerability and retrieve data via out-of-band attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2018-7783.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update SoMachine Basic to version v1.6 SP1 or later to patch the XXE vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Schneider Electric has released version v1.6 SP1 to address the XXE vulnerability in SoMachine Basic. Ensure timely installation of this update to secure the software.