CVE-2023-3595 : What You Need to Know

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Rockwell Automation's 1756 EN2* and 1756 EN3* ControlLogix communication products, potentially allowing a malicious user to execute remote code with persistence through crafted CIP messages.

Understanding CVE-2023-3595

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-3595 vulnerability, including its impact and technical details.

What is CVE-2023-3595?

The vulnerability in Rockwell Automation's ControlLogix communication products enables a malicious actor to conduct remote code execution on the target system by leveraging specially crafted CIP messages. This grants the attacker the ability to manipulate, block, or extract data passing through the affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3595

The impact of CVE-2023-3595 is significant, with a base severity level of "CRITICAL" and a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the target systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3595

Here, we explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-3595 vulnerability, including how it affects systems and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for remote code execution through maliciously crafted CIP messages, providing unauthorized access to manipulate data flows within Rockwell Automation's ControlLogix communication products.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts multiple versions of the Rockwell Automation 1756 EN2* and 1756 EN3* ControlLogix communication products, including specific firmware versions where the issue exists.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious users can exploit this vulnerability by sending specifically crafted CIP messages to the affected devices, granting them unauthorized access and control over the target systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-3595, certain steps can be taken to enhance the security posture of the affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update firmware: Ensure that all affected ControlLogix communications modules are updated to patched firmware versions.
Properly segment networks: Implement strict network segmentation measures to prevent unauthorized access to the communication modules from external sources.
Implement detection signatures: Utilize specialized detection signatures to monitor and identify anomalous Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) packets aimed at Rockwell Automation devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should focus on enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture by implementing robust security measures, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about emerging threats in the industrial control systems (ICS) environment.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for firmware updates and security patches released by Rockwell Automation to address any known vulnerabilities or security issues in the ControlLogix communication products. Stay proactive in applying these updates to ensure the security and integrity of the industrial control systems.