AVEVA Vijeo Citect and Citect SCADA Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CVE-2018-7799)

# ICS Advisory (ICSA-18-331-01) ## AVEVA Vijeo Citect and Citect SCADA Original release date: November 27, 2018 [Print Document](javascript:window.print\(\);) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-331-01) [Like Me](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-331-01) [Share](http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-331-01) ### Legal Notice All information products included in [https://us-cert.gov/ics](/ics) are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more information about TLP, see [https://www.us- cert.gov/tlp/](/tlp/). * * * ## 1\. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * **CVSS v3 7.8** * **ATTENTION:** Low skill level to exploit * **Vendor:** AVEVA Software, LLC (AVEVA) * **Equipment:** Vijeo Citect, Citect SCADA * **Vulnerability:** Uncontrolled Search Path Element ## 2\. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system. ## 3\. TECHNICAL DETAILS ### 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS AVEVA reports that a vulnerability in Schneider Electric Software Update utility versions prior to v2.2.0 affects the following AVEVA products: * Vijeo Citect v7.40, * Vijeo Citect 2015, * Citect SCADA v7.40, * Citect SCADA 2015, and * Citect SCADA 2016 ### 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW #### 3.2.1 [UNCONTROLLED SEARCH PATH ELEMENT CWE-427](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/427.html) The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources. An attacker with local access could place a specially crafted file on the target machine, which may give the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code. [CVE-2018-7799](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2018-7799) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is ([AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)). ### 3.3 BACKGROUND * **CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS:** Commercial Facilities, Critical Manufacturing, Energy * **COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED:** Worldwide * **COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION:** United Kingdom ### 3.4 RESEARCHER AVEVA reported this vulnerability to NCCIC. ## 4\. MITIGATIONS AVEVA recommends all affected users download and upgrade to the latest version of the Schneider Electric Software Update (SESU) software. <https://www.update.schneider- electric.com/download/SystemConsistency/SoftwareUpdate/SESU_220/SESU_2.2.0_setup_sfx.exe> AVEVA's Security Advisory can be viewed at: <https://sw.aveva.com/hubfs/assets-2018/pdf/security- bulletin/SecurityAdvisory_LFSec134.pdf> AVEVA recommends following industry cybersecurity best practices, such as: * Locate control and safety system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network. * Physical controls should be in place so that no unauthorized person would have access to the ICS and safety controllers, peripheral equipment or the ICS and safety networks. * All controllers should reside in locked cabinets and never be left in the "Program" mode. * All programming software should be kept in locked cabinets and should never be connected to any network other than the network for the devices that it is intended. * All methods of mobile data exchange with the isolated network such as CDs, USB drives, etc. should be scanned before use in the terminals or any node connected to these networks. * Laptops that have connected to any other network besides the intended network should never be allowed to connect to the safety or control networks without proper sanitation. * Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet. * When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices. NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures. NCCIC also provides a section for [control systems security recommended practices](/ics/content/recommended-practices) on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including [Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in- Depth Strategies](/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS- CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf). Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the [ICS-CERT website](/ics/) in the Technical Information Paper, [ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies](/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B). Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents. NCCIC also recommends that users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks: * Do not click web links or open unsolicited attachments in email messages. * Refer to [Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams](/reading_room/emailscams_0905.pdf) for more information on avoiding email scams. * Refer to [Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks](/cas/tips/ST04-014.html) for more information on social engineering attacks. No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.