CVE-2020-7545
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authorized users to execute arbitrary code on the server by accessing a specific webpage in Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure and SmartStruxure power monitoring software. It affects organizations using these SCADA systems for industrial control and power management. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls that fail to properly restrict authorized users' actions.
💻 Affected Systems
- EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert
- EcoStruxure Power SCADA Operation
- SmartStruxure Power Monitoring Expert
📦 What is this software?
Ecostruxure Energy Expert by Schneider Electric
Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert by Schneider Electric
View all CVEs affecting Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert →
Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert by Schneider Electric
View all CVEs affecting Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert →
Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert by Schneider Electric
View all CVEs affecting Ecostruxure Power Monitoring Expert →
Power Manager by Schneider Electric
Power Manager by Schneider Electric
Power Manager by Schneider Electric
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise leading to industrial control system manipulation, data theft, ransomware deployment, or disruption of critical power monitoring operations.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive SCADA data, configuration changes, or limited code execution within the application context.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege access, and monitoring are implemented, though the vulnerability still exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authorized user credentials but is straightforward once authenticated. No public exploit code is known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions with hotfixes as specified in SEVD-2020-287-04
Vendor Advisory: https://www.se.com/ww/en/download/document/SEVD-2020-287-04/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the appropriate hotfix from Schneider Electric's security notification. 2. Apply the hotfix following vendor instructions. 3. Restart the affected services or server as required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Webpage Access
allBlock access to the specific vulnerable webpage using web server configuration or network controls.
Reduce User Privileges
allImplement strict least privilege access controls to minimize the number of authorized users.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate SCADA systems from general corporate networks.
- Enhance monitoring for unusual user activity or code execution attempts on affected servers.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check software version against affected versions listed in SEVD-2020-287-04. Review if authorized users can access the vulnerable webpage.Check Version:
Check through the software's about/help menu or consult vendor documentation for version checking.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version matches patched versions in the advisory and test that the vulnerable webpage no longer allows code execution.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process execution from web server context
- Access to the specific vulnerable webpage followed by system commands
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint with suspicious parameters
SIEM Query:
web_access_logs AND (url_contains_vulnerable_page AND process_execution_events)