ICS Advisory

Advantech WebAccess/SCADA

Last Revised
Alert Code
ICSA-20-289-01

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 8.8
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
  • Vendor: Advantech
  • Equipment: WebAccess/SCADA 
  • Vulnerability: External Control of File Name or Path

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute remote code as an administrator.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of WebAccess/SCADA, a browser-based SCADA software package, are affected:

  • WebAccess/SCADA Versions 9.0 and prior

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    EXTERNAL CONTROL OF FILE NAME OR PATH CWE-73

The WADashboard component of WebAccess/SCADA may allow an attacker to control or influence a path used in an operation on the filesystem and remotely execute code as an administrator. 

CVE-2020-25161 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing, Energy, Water and Wastewater Systems 
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: East Asia, Europe, United States
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Taiwan

3.4 RESEARCHER

Sivathmican Sivakumaran of Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Advantech recommends users update to Version 9.0.1 or later.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • 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.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.



CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov. 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 on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.



Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Vendor

Advantech