CVE-2021-27466 in FactoryTalk AssetCentre
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2022
A deserialization vulnerability exists in how the ArchiveService.rem service in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre v10.00 and earlier verifies serialized data. This vulnerability may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands in FactoryTalk AssetCentre.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-27466 represents a critical deserialization flaw within Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 10.00 and earlier systems. This issue specifically affects the ArchiveService.rem service which handles serialized data processing, creating an attack vector that enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw resides in the service's inadequate validation mechanisms for serialized objects, allowing maliciously crafted data to bypass security checks and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where operational technology systems handle critical infrastructure data and processes.
This deserialization vulnerability maps directly to CWE-502, which categorizes insecure deserialization as a significant security weakness that can lead to remote code execution. The flaw operates by accepting serialized objects through the ArchiveService.rem interface and failing to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data before processing. When the service deserializes malicious payloads, it inadvertently executes code contained within the serialized data structure, providing attackers with a pathway to compromise the entire FactoryTalk AssetCentre environment. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit industrial control systems without detection.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-27466 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can potentially enable full system compromise of FactoryTalk AssetCentre installations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, disrupt industrial processes, or establish persistent access points within industrial networks. The vulnerability affects environments where FactoryTalk AssetCentre serves as a central repository for asset management and data storage, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of operational disruption and potential safety hazards in environments where these systems control critical manufacturing processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-27466 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by Rockwell Automation, as this represents a critical vulnerability requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to FactoryTalk AssetCentre services and disable unnecessary remote access capabilities. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting access to the ArchiveService.rem interface to only authorized personnel with legitimate business requirements. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions capable of detecting unusual deserialization patterns and anomalous network traffic can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling the affected service entirely if it is not critical to operations, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control system components. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in industrial software environments, particularly when dealing with serialized data processing in operational technology systems.