CVE-2021-32499 in SOPAS ET
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2021
SICK SOPAS ET before version 4.8.0 allows attackers to manipulate the command line arguments to pass in any value to the Emulator executable.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32499 affects SICK SOPAS ET software versions prior to 4.8.0, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate command line arguments passed to the Emulator executable. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's argument parsing logic, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands through the command line interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the Emulator component of the SOPAS ET suite, which is commonly used for configuring and managing SICK laser scanning sensors in industrial environments.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input is not properly sanitized before being passed to system execution functions. When the Emulator executable processes command line arguments, it fails to validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system. This allows an attacker to append malicious payloads to the command line that will be executed with the privileges of the Emulator process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to industrial control systems and potentially compromise the broader network infrastructure. In industrial settings where SICK SOPAS ET is deployed for sensor management and data acquisition, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to modify sensor configurations, disable security features, or even cause physical harm by manipulating sensor data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the emulator functionality, which is often used during development, testing, and commissioning phases where security controls may be relaxed. This creates opportunities for attackers to establish backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive configuration data from industrial environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to version 4.8.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for command line arguments. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks, while also applying principle of least privilege configurations to restrict the execution privileges of the Emulator process. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command line patterns and suspicious argument sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential command injection vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive patch management procedures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories under the Common Weakness Enumeration, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.002 for remote services, indicating potential for lateral movement and persistence within industrial networks.