CVE-2021-33010 in System Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
An exception is thrown from a function in AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01, but it is not caught, which may cause a denial-of-service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33010 affects AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01, representing a critical denial-of-service condition that stems from improper exception handling within the software architecture. This flaw manifests when a specific function within the platform throws an exception that remains uncaught, creating a cascade of operational failures that can bring the entire system to a halt. The affected platform serves as a critical infrastructure component for industrial automation and control systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the function-level exception handling mechanism where developers failed to implement proper try-catch blocks around critical operations. This represents a classic software engineering flaw that aligns with CWE-248, or "Exception Not Caught," which specifically addresses scenarios where exceptions are thrown but not properly handled, leading to application instability. The unhandled exception typically occurs during routine system operations when processing specific data inputs or executing automated workflows, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly and leaving the industrial control environment in a non-operational state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system downtime, as AVEVA System Platform serves as the backbone for critical industrial processes including process control, monitoring, and data acquisition. When the exception is thrown and not caught, the entire system platform becomes unavailable, potentially disrupting production workflows, data logging operations, and real-time process control mechanisms. This denial-of-service condition can result in significant financial losses, safety risks, and operational disruptions for organizations relying on these industrial control systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where continuous operation is critical, such as manufacturing plants, oil and gas facilities, or power generation stations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-33010 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from AVEVA, as the vendor has likely released a software update addressing the specific exception handling issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect when the system enters an unstable state and establish automated recovery procedures. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit potential exploitation vectors, while regular system health checks should be implemented to identify early signs of the exception condition. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling practices in industrial control systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Utilities: File System Logical Offsets," where improper error handling can lead to system instability. Additionally, implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms can help detect when the exception condition occurs, enabling faster response times and reducing the impact of potential service interruptions. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant systems or failover mechanisms to maintain operational continuity during potential vulnerability exploitation scenarios.