CVE-2018-7841
Schneider Electric U.motion Builder SQL Injection Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2018-7841 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Schneider Electric's U.motion Builder software, a building automation management platform. This vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL statements through improperly validated input characters, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and in severe cases, remote code execution on the underlying database server. The U.motion Builder is an end-of-life product that will not receive security patches, leaving this SQL injection vulnerability permanently unresolved. CISA has added CVE-2018-7841 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with the required action to disconnect the product if still in use, with a remediation deadline of May 6, 2022. The EPSS percentile of approximately 98% indicates very high exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| schneider-electric | u.motion builder | 1.3.4 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152862/Schneider-Electric-U.Motion-Builder-1.3.4-Command-Injection.html(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/May/26(Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.schneider-electric.com/ww/en/download/document/SEVD-2019-071-02(Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-7841(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (SQL Injection)
The SQL injection vulnerability in Schneider Electric U.motion Builder occurs when the application incorporates user-supplied input into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. In CVE-2018-7841, an attacker can inject malicious SQL code through improperly validated input fields, enabling them to manipulate database queries to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or execute system-level commands through database features such as xp_cmdshell or similar functions.
Learn more: CWE-89 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (SQL Injection)
Impact Analysis
CVE-2018-7841 can be exploited remotely over the network, and depending on the deployment configuration, may not require authentication. SQL injection vulnerabilities in building automation software are particularly dangerous because they can provide access to operational technology (OT) configurations, building control system data, and potentially enable manipulation of connected building systems. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality of all data stored in the U.motion Builder database, including building automation configurations, user credentials, and operational parameters. The integrity of the database is undermined as attackers can insert, modify, or delete records, and if the SQL injection allows command execution, the entire underlying server can be compromised. The EPSS percentile of approximately 98% indicates very high exploitation activity, and the end-of-life status means the vulnerability will never be patched.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2018-7841 in the wild by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The required action states: "The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use." The EPSS percentile of approximately 98% indicates very high exploitation activity. The combination of a well-understood vulnerability class (SQL injection), no available patches (end-of-life product), and deployment in building automation environments where security patching may be less frequent makes CVE-2018-7841 a significant ongoing threat for organizations still running U.motion Builder.
Remediation
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Disconnect Schneider Electric U.motion Builder immediately as directed by CISA: "The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use." Since no security patch will be released, removing the software from your network is the only definitive remediation.
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Migrate to a supported building automation platform that receives regular security updates. Evaluate current Schneider Electric building management solutions or alternative vendors that provide ongoing security support for their building automation software.
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If immediate disconnection is not possible, isolate the U.motion Builder system on a dedicated OT network segment with no internet connectivity and strict firewall rules. Block all inbound access from untrusted networks and restrict access to authorized building management personnel only.
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Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) in front of the U.motion Builder web interface to filter common SQL injection payloads. While this is not a complete fix, it can reduce the attack surface by blocking known SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests.
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Audit the U.motion Builder database for indicators of compromise by reviewing database logs for suspicious queries, checking for unauthorized data modifications, and verifying the integrity of stored building automation configurations. Look for signs of data exfiltration or unauthorized database account creation that may indicate prior exploitation.
Technical Details
CVE-2018-7841 is a SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) in Schneider Electric's U.motion Builder software that results from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When an improper set of characters is submitted to the application, the input is directly included in SQL statements without parameterization or escaping, allowing an attacker to inject additional SQL commands that are executed by the database engine. This can enable unauthorized data retrieval through UNION-based or blind SQL injection techniques, data modification through INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE injections, and in some database configurations, operating system command execution through database-specific features. The vulnerability exists in an end-of-life product that Schneider Electric will not patch, making it a permanent security risk for any deployment that remains accessible on a network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2018-7841 being actively exploited?
Yes, CVE-2018-7841 is being actively exploited in the wild. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and recommends disconnecting the product since it is end-of-life. The EPSS percentile of approximately 98% confirms very high exploitation activity.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-7841?
CVE-2018-7841 affects Schneider Electric U.motion Builder, a building automation management software platform. This product has reached end-of-life and will not receive security patches. Organizations still running U.motion Builder are permanently exposed to this SQL injection vulnerability.
How do I fix CVE-2018-7841?
Schneider Electric U.motion Builder is end-of-life and will not be patched. CISA recommends disconnecting the product immediately. Migrate to a supported building automation platform and isolate any systems that cannot be immediately replaced.
How severe is CVE-2018-7841?
CVE-2018-7841 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of approximately 98%. The flaw can enable unauthorized database access and potential code execution in building automation environments, and the end-of-life status of the affected product means no patch will ever be available.
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