CVE-2021-32985 in System Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 does not properly verify that the source of data or communication is valid.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
CVE-2021-32985 represents a critical validation flaw within AVEVA System Platform versions spanning from 2017 through 2020 R2 P01, where the system fails to adequately authenticate the origin of data or communication channels. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient validation of data sources, which is categorized as CWE-20 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw exists in the platform's communication protocols and data handling mechanisms, where the system lacks robust source verification processes that should ensure all incoming data originates from legitimate and authorized sources. This weakness creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to inject malicious data or manipulate communication flows within the industrial control systems environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and source authentication mechanisms within the AVEVA System Platform's data processing pipeline. When the platform receives data or communication requests, it does not perform sufficient checks to verify the authenticity of the sending entity or the integrity of the transmitted information. This allows attackers to potentially spoof data sources, manipulate communication channels, or inject malicious payloads that the system would otherwise reject. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where AVEVA platforms are deployed for critical infrastructure management, as it could enable unauthorized access to operational data or disruption of industrial processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-32985 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the overall security posture of industrial control systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially manipulate real-time data flows, inject false operational parameters, or disrupt communication between system components. This weakness aligns with several tactics and techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to command and control communications and data manipulation. The vulnerability could enable adversaries to perform reconnaissance activities, establish persistent access, or execute more advanced attacks that leverage the compromised data validation mechanisms to gain deeper system access.
Organizations utilizing AVEVA System Platform versions affected by CVE-2021-32985 should implement immediate mitigations to address this validation gap. The primary recommendation involves strengthening the authentication and verification mechanisms within the platform's data handling processes, ensuring that all communication sources are properly validated before data processing occurs. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should review and update the platform's security configurations to enforce stricter source validation requirements and implement proper access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar validation weaknesses within the broader industrial control system ecosystem.