CVE-2021-40872 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded before 1.40 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) or bypass security checks by sending crafted messages to an OPC/UA server, leading to server crashes.

Understanding CVE-2021-40872

Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded is vulnerable to attacks that can result in a denial of service or unauthorized access, posing a risk to the server's stability and security.

What is CVE-2021-40872?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded before version 1.40. Attackers can exploit this issue to either perform a denial of service attack or login as an anonymous user, bypassing security measures.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40872

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a server crash due to improper type casting. Consequently, an attacker can disrupt server operations and potentially gain unauthorized access, compromising the system's integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40872

Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded presents the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the OPC/UA server through crafted messages, causing unexpected crashes due to an invalid type cast. The server then requires a restart, affecting its availability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded
Versions Affected: Before 1.40

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can send specially crafted messages to the OPC/UA server, leveraging improper type casting to crash the server or gain unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-40872, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to version 1.40 or later of Softing Industrial Automation uaToolkit Embedded
Implement network segmentation to restrict access to critical servers
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly
Educate users and administrators about best security practices

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Softing Industrial Automation
Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from the vendor