Nortek Linear eMerge E3 Series Command Injection (CVE-2018-5439)

# ICS Advisory (ICSA-18-046-01) ## Nortek Linear eMerge E3 Series Original release date: February 15, 2018 | Last revised: February 19, 2018 [Print Document](javascript:window.print\(\);) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-046-01) [Like Me](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-046-01) [Share](http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus- cert.cisa.gov%2Fics%2Fadvisories%2FICSA-18-046-01) ### 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/). * * * ### **CVSS v3 9.8** **ATTENTION:** Remotely exploitable/low skill level to exploit. **Vendor:** Nortek **Equipment:** Linear eMerge E3 Series **Vulnerability:** Command Injection ## AFFECTED PRODUCTS The following Linear eMerge, an access control interface, versions are affected: * Linear eMerge E3 series Versions V0.32-07e and prior. ## IMPACT Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute malicious code on the system with elevated privileges, allowing for full control of the server. ## MITIGATION Nortek recommends that affected users upgrade by following the process outlined on Page 47 of the E3 User Programming Guide. NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should: * Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are [not accessible from the Internet](/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01). * Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network. * 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. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available in the NCCIC Technical Information Paper, [ICS-TIP-12-146-01B-- Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies](/ics/tips/ICS- TIP-12-146-01B), that is available for download from the [ICS-CERT website](/ics/). 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. No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. ## VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW ## [IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN A COMMAND ('COMMAND INJECTION') CWE-77](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/77.html) A remote attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on a target machine with elevated privileges. [CVE-2018-5439](http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2018-5439) has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is ([AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)). ## RESEARCHER Evgeny Ermakov and Sergey Gordeychik reported the vulnerability to NCCIC. ## BACKGROUND **Critical Infrastructure Sector:** Commercial Facilities **Countries/Areas Deployed:** Worldwide **Company Headquarters Location:** Italy