CVE-2023-3321 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2023-3321 affecting ABB Ability™ zenon, its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps. High severity with risks to confidentiality and availability.
This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-3321, including its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.
Understanding CVE-2023-3321
CVE-2023-3321 is a vulnerability identified in ABB Ability™ zenon, allowing low-privileged users to read and update data in various directories used by the system. This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers using specially crafted programs on zenon installed hosts.
What is CVE-2023-3321?
The vulnerability in CVE-2023-3321 enables low-privileged users to manipulate data in directories utilized by ABB Ability™ zenon, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control by malicious actors.
The Impact of CVE-2023-3321
The impact of CVE-2023-3321 is deemed as high, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability being significantly compromised. Attackers with low privileges could potentially execute malicious activities within the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-3321
The vulnerability's CVSS v3.1 base score is 7, indicating a high severity level. It manifests a high attack complexity, requiring local access, and poses a significant risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows low-privileged users to manipulate data in various directories used by ABB Ability™ zenon, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data tampering, or denial of service attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
ABB Ability™ zenon version 11 build through 11 build 106404 is affected by CVE-2023-3321, exposing systems within this range to potential exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-3321 by using specially crafted programs to gain unauthorized access and manipulate data within the directories used by the Zenon system.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-3321, immediate steps and long-term security practices are crucial.
Immediate Steps to Take
Implement recommended practices such as physically protecting process control systems, network segmentation, and securing specific directories by restricting access to authorized users only.
Long-Term Security Practices
Adopt robust security measures, including firewall systems, network isolation, and strict access control policies to prevent unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Patching and Updates
Regularly update ABB Ability™ zenon to the latest secure versions to address vulnerabilities and ensure a more secure operational environment. Implementing vendor-recommended patches is essential to mitigate risks effectively.