CVE-2021-22704 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A CWE-22 vulnerability has been identified in Harmony/HMI Products Configured by Vijeo Designer, Vijeo Designer Basic, or EcoStruxure Machine Expert. This vulnerability could lead to a Denial of Service or unauthorized access to system information.

Understanding CVE-2021-22704

This CVE-2021-22704 vulnerability affects Harmony/HMI Products Configured by Vijeo Designer, Vijeo Designer Basic, or EcoStruxure Machine Expert, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services or gain unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2021-22704?

CVE-2021-22704 refers to a CWE-22 vulnerability in the mentioned software products, enabling a scenario where an attacker could exploit FTP connections to cause a Denial of Service or access system information.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22704

The impact of CVE-2021-22704 includes the possibility of service disruptions and unauthorized access to critical system information, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22704

This section covers specific technical details related to the CVE-2021-22704 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory in Harmony/HMI Products Configured by Vijeo Designer, Vijeo Designer Basic, or EcoStruxure Machine Expert, potentially leading to Denial of Service attacks or unauthorized information access via FTP.

Affected Systems and Versions

Harmony/HMI Products Configured by Vijeo Designer (all versions prior to V6.2 SP11 ), Vijeo Designer Basic (all versions prior to V1.2), and EcoStruxure Machine Expert (all versions prior to V2.0) are affected by CVE-2021-22704.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-22704 involves leveraging the vulnerability in FTP connections to compromise system integrity, potentially resulting in a Denial of Service situation or unauthorized data access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-22704, immediate and long-term security measures need to be implemented to safeguard affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the affected software versions to Harmony/HMI V6.2 SP11, Vijeo Designer Basic V1.2, and EcoStruxure Machine Expert V2.0 to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate robust security practices such as regular software updates, network segmentation, access control mechanisms, and monitoring to enhance the overall security posture and resilience of the systems.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security advisories from the vendor, apply patches promptly, and maintain an active stance on cybersecurity hygiene to protect systems from emerging threats.