CVE-2022-2970 : What You Need to Know

A critical CVE-2022-2970 has been identified in MZ Automation's libIEC61850, exposing versions 1.4 and earlier, as well as version 1.5 before commit a3b04b7bc4872a5a39e5de3fdc5fbde52c09e10e, to a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2022-2970

This CVE, discovered by ICSA-22-251-01, indicates a severe flaw in libIEC61850 that could be exploited by attackers for remote code execution.

What is CVE-2022-2970?

MZ Automation's libIEC61850 fails to properly sanitize input before using memcpy, allowing attackers to potentially crash devices or execute arbitrary code remotely.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2970

With a CVSS base score of 10, the severity is rated as critical. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2970

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability arises from improper input sanitization in libIEC61850, paving the way for potential code execution or device crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 1.4 and below, along with version 1.5 before commit a3b04b7bc4872a5a39e5de3fdc5fbde52c09e10e, are susceptible to this flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited over a network with low attack complexity, requiring no user interaction. This high-impact CVE does not demand any special privileges for exploitation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2022-2970, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly.
Implement network controls to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.