CVE-2020-7496 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A CWE-88 vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and prior, allowing unauthorized write access when opening project files.

Understanding CVE-2020-7496

This CVE involves an Argument Injection or Modification vulnerability in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and earlier versions.

What is CVE-2020-7496?

The CVE-2020-7496 vulnerability is related to unauthorized write access that can occur when a project file is opened in EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and prior versions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7496

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access and potentially modify project files, leading to security breaches and unauthorized changes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7496

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2020-7496 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-88, which involves Argument Injection or Modification, allowing attackers to manipulate inputs and gain unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert 3.1 Service Pack 1 and prior (formerly known as Vijeo XD)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating arguments to gain unauthorized write access when opening project files in the affected versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-7496, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert to eliminate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to project files to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access to project files.
Educate users on secure file handling practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by the vendor to ensure system security.