CVE-2022-2140 in SmartICS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
Elcomplus SmartICS v2.3.4.0 does not neutralize user-controllable input, which allows an authenticated user to inject arbitrary code into specific parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2140 affects Elcomplus SmartICS version 2.3.4.0 and represents a critical code injection flaw that undermines the application's input validation mechanisms. This weakness stems from the software's failure to properly sanitize user-controllable parameters, creating an environment where authenticated users can manipulate specific input fields to execute arbitrary code within the system. The vulnerability operates under the principle of insufficient input sanitization, which is classified as CWE-74 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing the improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that adversaries must first establish valid credentials before exploiting this vulnerability, but once achieved, the impact can be severe as it allows for arbitrary code execution within the application's operational environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation within the SmartICS application interface, where specific input fields do not adequately validate or sanitize user-provided data. When authenticated users submit maliciously crafted input into these vulnerable parameters, the application processes the data without proper sanitization, leading to code injection that can be executed within the application context. This flaw directly relates to CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code or commands, and represents a direct pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain deeper system access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates within a smart industrial control system environment where unauthorized code execution could compromise critical infrastructure operations and safety protocols. The affected system architecture likely processes user inputs through standard web application frameworks that fail to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems that rely on Elcomplus SmartICS for monitoring and managing critical infrastructure components. The authenticated code injection capability allows attackers to potentially manipulate system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt normal system operations. The implications extend beyond simple data compromise to include potential safety hazards in industrial environments where control systems manage physical processes. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the code injection to execute malicious commands within the system. The attack surface is limited to authenticated users but represents a serious privilege escalation risk, particularly in environments where administrative privileges are granted to multiple users. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to industrial control protocols, modification of operational parameters, or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2140 should prioritize immediate application of vendor patches and updates to address the input sanitization deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-controllable parameters before processing, utilizing techniques such as parameterized queries and proper output encoding. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous code execution patterns. Security configurations should include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar input validation issues across the industrial control system landscape. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls is crucial to minimize the potential damage from authenticated exploitation, while regular security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about the risks of submitting untrusted input to system interfaces. Additionally, organizations should establish robust incident response procedures specifically tailored to industrial control system environments to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities that may arise in complex operational technology ecosystems.