Detect CVE-2021-26828: OpenPLC ScadaBR Unrestricted File Upload RCE in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation of CVE-2021-26828, an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in OpenPLC ScadaBR that allows authenticated attackers to upload files with dangerous types (e.g., JSP, PHP, WAR) to the server, leading to remote code execution. ScadaBR is a SCADA/HMI web application widely used in industrial control systems. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and listed in CISA KEV.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution Persistence
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip,
destinationip,
destinationport,
URL,
"Method" AS http_method,
"File Name" AS uploaded_file,
username,
CATEGORYNAME(category) AS event_category,
QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(logsourceid) IN ('Apache HTTP Server', 'Tomcat', 'Linux OS', 'Microsoft Windows Security Event Log')
AND (
("Method" = 'POST' AND (
URL LIKE '%/upload%' OR
URL LIKE '%/graphicViews%' OR
URL LIKE '%/images%' OR
URL LIKE '%/scadabr%'
) AND (
URL LIKE '%.jsp' OR URL LIKE '%.jspx' OR
URL LIKE '%.php' OR URL LIKE '%.war' OR
URL LIKE '%.sh' OR URL LIKE '%.aspx'
))
OR
(CATEGORYNAME(category) LIKE '%Process%' AND
"Parent Process Name" LIKE '%java%' AND
("Process Name" LIKE '%cmd%' OR "Process Name" LIKE '%bash%' OR
"Process Name" LIKE '%sh%' OR "Process Name" LIKE '%python%'))
)
AND starttime > NOW() - 86400000
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LIMIT 500QRadar AQL query detecting POST uploads of dangerous file types to ScadaBR web paths and Java processes spawning command interpreters, indicative of CVE-2021-26828 exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate administrative file uploads to ScadaBR through authorized management sessions
- Automated build and deploy processes that push WAR files to Tomcat instances
- Security scanning tools performing authorized vulnerability assessments of SCADA infrastructure
- Development workflows where engineers deploy custom views or modules to ScadaBR
Other platforms for CVE-2021-26828
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Upload JSP Web Shell to ScadaBR Upload Endpoint
Expected signal: HTTP POST to /ScadaBR/upload.shtm with multipart form data containing .jsp file; Tomcat access log shows 200 response; file creation event for .jsp file in webapps directory
- Test 2Execute OS Command via Uploaded JSP Web Shell
Expected signal: Java process (Tomcat JVM) spawning child process for id, whoami, cat commands; Sysmon Event ID 1 with ParentImage containing java; process command line containing /etc/passwd
- Test 3Establish Reverse Shell from ScadaBR Server via Web Shell
Expected signal: Java process spawning bash with /dev/tcp redirect; outbound TCP connection from ScadaBR host to ATTACKER_IP:4444; network flow event with non-standard destination port from Java process
- Test 4Upload PHP Web Shell as Image File Bypass
Expected signal: POST request to upload endpoint with PHP file disguised as image; file creation event showing PHP content in webapps directory; Content-Type mismatch between declared image/jpeg and actual PHP content
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2021-26828 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.