CVE-2022-45788 : Security Advisory and Response

A CWE-754 vulnerability has been identified in Schneider Electric products, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, denial of service, and loss of confidentiality & integrity when a malicious project file is loaded onto the controller.

Understanding CVE-2022-45788

This section provides a detailed insight into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2022-45788?

A CWE-754 vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric products, allowing threat actors to execute arbitrary code, disrupt services, and compromise data integrity and confidentiality by loading a malicious project file onto the controller.

The Impact of CVE-2022-45788

The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH. It has a CVSS base score of 7.5 out of 10, with a network-based attack vector, requiring no privileges for exploitation, and causing significant impacts on availability, confidentiality, and integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-45788

The vulnerability is characterized by an Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (CWE-754) issue, affecting multiple Schneider Electric products and versions.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability permits threat actors to achieve arbitrary code execution, denial of service, and compromise the confidentiality and integrity of systems by exploiting a flaw in processing project files.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Schneider Electric products are affected:

EcoStruxure Control Expert (All Versions)
EcoStruxure Process Expert (All Versions)
Modicon M340 CPU (All Versions)
Modicon M580 CPU (All Versions)
Modicon M580 CPU Safety (All Versions)
Modicon Momentum Unity M1E Processor (All Versions)
Modicon MC80 (All Versions)
Legacy Modicon Quantum and Premium CPUs (All Versions)

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by loading a malicious project file onto the affected Schneider Electric controllers, triggering the execution of arbitrary code and leading to service disruptions and data compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the vulnerability is crucial for effective mitigation and prevention of potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches and updates provided by Schneider Electric promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to restrict unauthorized access to critical systems.
Monitor the network for any suspicious activities or file uploads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and maintain security software on all systems and devices.
Conduct security training sessions for employees to enhance awareness of potential threats.
Perform regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

It is essential to stay informed about security updates and patches released by Schneider Electric. Regularly check for new releases and apply them to ensure the security of your systems.