CVE-2020-16245
📋 TL;DR
This critical vulnerability in Advantech iView allows attackers to bypass path restrictions and access arbitrary files on the system. It affects all versions 5.7 and prior, enabling remote code execution, file manipulation, and denial of service attacks against industrial control systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advantech iView
📦 What is this software?
Iview by Advantech
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with remote code execution leading to complete control of the iView server, potential lateral movement to other industrial systems, and disruption of critical operations.
Likely Case
Unauthorized file access/download, creation of malicious files, and potential remote code execution leading to system compromise.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls, potentially only file enumeration without code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Multiple ZDI advisories indicate weaponization is likely. Path traversal vulnerabilities are typically easy to exploit with publicly available tools.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 5.7 or later with security updates
Vendor Advisory: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-238-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download and install iView version 5.7 or later from Advantech support portal. 2. Stop iView service. 3. Install the update. 4. Restart iView service. 5. Verify installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate iView systems from untrusted networks and internet access
Access Control Lists
windowsRestrict network access to iView using firewall rules
# Windows firewall example: New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block iView External" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 80,443 -Action Block
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove iView from internet-facing networks immediately
- Implement strict network segmentation and monitor all iView network traffic
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iView version in application interface or installation directory. Versions 5.7 and earlier are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check iView web interface or installation directory for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify iView version is updated beyond 5.7 and test path traversal attempts return proper errors.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns
- Path traversal strings in web logs (../, ..\, %2e%2e%2f)
- Unauthorized file creation/modification
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with path traversal sequences to iView endpoints
- Unexpected file downloads from iView
SIEM Query:
source="iView_logs" AND ("..\" OR "../" OR "%2e%2e" OR "path traversal")🔗 References
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-238-01
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1084/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1085/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1086/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1087/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1088/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1089/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1090/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1091/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1092/
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-238-01
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1084/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1085/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1086/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1087/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1088/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1089/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1090/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1091/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1092/
