CVE-2022-2791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an in-depth overview of CVE-2022-2791, a vulnerability found in Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software.

Understanding CVE-2022-2791

CVE-2022-2791 is a vulnerability identified in Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software, specifically affecting version 9.00 and earlier.

What is CVE-2022-2791?

Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software versions 9.00 and prior are susceptible to CWE-434, enabling an unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types. This flaw allows any file written into the PLC logic folder to be uploaded to the connected PLC.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2791

The vulnerability poses a medium severity threat with a CVSS base score of 5.9. It has a low attack complexity and requires user interaction, with a high integrity impact but no availability impact. The scope is changed locally, necessitating low privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2791

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2022-2791 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw enables unrestricted file uploads with dangerous types, potentially allowing malicious actors to overwrite critical files on the connected PLC.

Affected Systems and Versions

Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software version 9.00 and prior are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading malicious files to the PLC logic folder, which subsequently get uploaded to the connected PLC.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some essential steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2791.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by Emerson Electric to fix the vulnerability immediately.
Restrict access to critical systems and directories to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor file uploads and activities within PLC logic folders to detect any suspicious behavior.
Conduct security training sessions for employees to raise awareness on file upload security risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories from Emerson Electric and apply patches promptly to safeguard your systems.