CVE-2021-27466 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A deserialization vulnerability exists in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre v10.00 and earlier, allowing remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands, posing a critical threat.

Understanding CVE-2021-27466

This vulnerability arises from how the ArchiveService.rem service handles serialized data, potentially leading to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2021-27466?

CVE-2021-27466 is a deserialization vulnerability in FactoryTalk AssetCentre that may enable attackers to execute unauthorized commands remotely without authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27466

This vulnerability poses a critical threat with a CVSS base score of 10. It can result in high confidentiality impact and availability impact, requiring immediate attention and remediation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27466

The vulnerability stems from how FactoryTalk AssetCentre v10.00 and earlier versions handle serialized data, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands.

Vulnerability Description

The deserialization flaw in Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk AssetCentre enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute commands on the compromised system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre versions prior to v10.00 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring any privileges, posing a critical risk to the confidentiality and availability of the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-27466, users are advised to update to FactoryTalk AssetCentre v11 or later versions. Additional security measures and best practices are recommended to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Rockwell Automation advises running all software as a user, implementing least-privilege principles, and utilizing security features within FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

Long-Term Security Practices

Users should employ trusted software, practice network segmentation, and prioritize secure remote access methods like VPNs to enhance overall security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update FactoryTalk AssetCentre to the latest versions and follow Rockwell Automation's recommendations for additional mitigations.