CVE-2021-27471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The CVE-2021-27471, titled 'Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench Path Traversal,' involves a vulnerability in the parsing mechanism of Rockwell Automation's Connected Components Workbench software v12.00.00 and earlier. This vulnerability may allow an attacker to manipulate file paths, potentially leading to unauthorized access and file system traversal.

Understanding CVE-2021-27471

This section will cover what CVE-2021-27471 is and its impact, along with technical details and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-27471?

The vulnerability lies in the inadequate input sanitization of certain file types processed by Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench v12.00.00 and prior. It could enable an attacker to craft malicious files that, when opened, facilitate file system exploration and potential unauthorized file manipulations.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27471

If exploited, an attacker could overwrite existing files and create new files with the same privileges as the Connected Components Workbench software. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, posing a significant risk to affected systems' confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27471

This section details the vulnerability description, affected systems, and how the exploitation mechanism works.

Vulnerability Description

The parsing mechanism in Connected Components Workbench fails to sanitize input for file paths, enabling attackers to create and manipulate files, potentially leading to unauthorized access and system traversal.

Affected Systems and Versions

Rockwell Automation's Connected Components Workbench versions up to v12.00.00 are susceptible to this path traversal vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability requires the attacker to craft malicious files and entice a user to open them within the software. This interaction allows the attacker to perform unauthorized file operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn more about mitigating CVE-2021-27471 through immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a secure version of Connected Components Workbench (v13.00.00 or newer) as recommended by Rockwell Automation.
Execute the software as a User, not Administrator, to limit the impact of malicious code.
Be vigilant when handling untrusted files and execute training to recognize phishing attempts.
Implement least-privilege principles and restrict user access to critical resources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ security guidelines provided by Rockwell Automation and consider additional measures for a holistic security approach.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Rockwell Automation to protect against vulnerabilities.