CVE-2021-22780 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability labeled as CVE-2021-22780 has been identified in Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Process Expert, and SCADAPack RemoteConnect. The vulnerability, known as Insufficiently Protected Credentials, could lead to unauthorized access to protected project files, potentially allowing attackers to view and modify them.

Understanding CVE-2021-22780

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-22780 vulnerability, its impacts, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-22780?

The CVE-2021-22780 vulnerability is classified as an Insufficiently Protected Credentials flaw that affects various Schneider Electric products, including EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Process Expert, and SCADAPack RemoteConnect. This flaw could enable attackers to bypass password protection on shared project files, granting unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22780

The impact of CVE-2021-22780 is significant as it allows threat actors to infiltrate protected project files, potentially leading to data exposure and unauthorized modifications. Organizations using the affected Schneider Electric products are at risk of data breaches and unauthorized access incidents.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22780

This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-22780 vulnerability, including a description of the flaw, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The CVE-2021-22780 vulnerability stems from insufficiently protected credentials in EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Process Expert, and SCADAPack RemoteConnect. Attackers can exploit this flaw to bypass password protection on shared project files, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the data.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of EcoStruxure Control Expert prior to V15.0 SP1, Unity Pro, EcoStruxure Process Expert, EcoStruxure Hybrid DCS, and SCADAPack RemoteConnect for x70 are impacted by CVE-2021-22780. Organizations using these versions are advised to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-22780 involves attackers leveraging the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to project files protected by passwords. By sharing these files with untrusted sources, threat actors can circumvent password protection mechanisms and gain access to sensitive project data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2021-22780 vulnerability, organizations and users of the affected Schneider Electric products should adopt immediate and long-term security measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update affected systems to versions V15.0 SP1 or newer to address the Insufficiently Protected Credentials flaw. Additionally, ensure that project files are not shared with untrusted sources to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust password protection policies, access control mechanisms, and security awareness training to enhance the overall security posture of the organization. Regularly monitor for any unauthorized access attempts and assess the security posture of the environment.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Schneider Electric for EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Process Expert, and SCADAPack RemoteConnect. Timely application of patches is crucial to addressing known vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of the organization.