Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
These Echelon building/industrial control devices can store passwords in plaintext. If someone can obtain the configuration file, they may be able to reuse those passwords to access the SmartServer web interface. The issue is critical because compromised access could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of managed systems.
Executive priority
Treat this as high-priority OT and facilities technology risk. Focus first on locating affected devices, upgrading eligible SmartServer 2 systems, and confirming whether unsupported models remain in sensitive environments.
Technical view
CVE-2018-8851 is a CWE-256 plaintext password storage flaw affecting Echelon SmartServer 1, SmartServer 2 before 4.11.007, i.LON 100, and i.LON 600. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8, with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction listed.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant where affected Echelon SmartServer or i.LON devices are deployed and configuration files are accessible to unauthorized users. The source bundle does not establish internet exposure or deployment prevalence.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite known active exploitation, and KEV status is false. Abuse depends on access to the device configuration file, which may reveal plaintext passwords usable against the SmartServer web UI.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and linked ICS-CERT advisory reference in the bundle. Do not assume exploit availability or broader product impact without additional vendor or CISA confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade SmartServer 2 devices before 4.11.007 to release 4.11.007 or later.
- Check Echelon and CISA guidance for SmartServer 1, i.LON 100, and i.LON 600 remediation.
- Restrict access to device configuration files to trusted administrators only.
- Review SmartServer web UI access controls while remediation is pending.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Echelon SmartServer 1, SmartServer 2, i.LON 100, and i.LON 600 devices.
- Verify SmartServer 2 firmware is release 4.11.007 or later.
- Identify who can access configuration files for affected devices.
- Review logs for unexpected SmartServer web UI authentication activity.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-256: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-8851 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-200-03CVE reference, icscert · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Plaintext Storage of a Password
Plaintext Storage of a Password represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.