CVE-2018-7846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability known as CWE-501: Trust Boundary Violation affects all versions of Modicon M580, Modicon M340, Modicon Quantum, and Modicon Premium. Unauthorized access to the controller is possible through a brute force attack on the Modbus protocol.

Understanding CVE-2018-7846

This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in Schneider Electric's Modicon series, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2018-7846?

The vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the controller by exploiting a trust boundary violation in the Modbus protocol.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7846

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it enables unauthorized parties to access and potentially manipulate the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7846

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a trust boundary violation in the connection to the controller, affecting various Modicon products.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: Modicon M580, Modicon M340, Modicon Quantum, Modicon Premium
Versions: Modicon M580, Modicon M340, Modicon Quantum, Modicon Premium

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized access is achieved through a brute force attack on the Modbus protocol, exploiting the trust boundary vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-7846 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Apply security patches and updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits.
Educate users and administrators on best security practices.
Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Schneider Electric.
Apply patches and updates provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.