CVE-2022-22804 in EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2022
A CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability exists that could allow an authenticated attacker to view data, change settings, or impact availability of the software when the user visits a page containing the injected payload. Affected Product: EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert (Versions 2020 and prior)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2022
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session. The weakness manifests in the web page generation process where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users, creating an opportunity for persistent script injection attacks. The affected product EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert version 2020 and prior represents a sophisticated industrial monitoring platform that handles sensitive operational data, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application framework. When authenticated users interact with the software and encounter maliciously crafted payloads in rendered content, the browser executes the injected scripts without proper security boundaries. This occurs because the application fails to neutralize potentially dangerous characters or sequences that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper input neutralization during web page generation, categorizing it as a persistent cross-site scripting vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including stored and reflected XSS techniques.
From an operational impact standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for industrial control systems environments where EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert operates. An authenticated attacker could potentially extract sensitive operational data, modify critical system settings, or disrupt availability of monitoring services through script-based attacks. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first establish credentials within the system, but once achieved they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and access additional system resources. This represents a serious concern for power monitoring environments where system integrity and data confidentiality are paramount.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft or modification to include potential disruption of critical infrastructure operations. Attackers could manipulate monitoring displays, inject false alarms, or create misleading operational data that could lead to incorrect decision-making by system operators. The vulnerability's presence in versions 2020 and prior indicates a prolonged exposure window where organizations have been potentially vulnerable to these attacks without adequate protection mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation controls, output encoding measures, and regular security assessments to address this persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper input sanitization techniques that align with established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten recommendations for XSS prevention. The application should enforce strict content security policies and implement proper HTML escaping mechanisms before rendering any user-provided data in web interfaces. Additionally, organizations should establish robust authentication controls, regular security patching procedures, and monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both external and internal threats within industrial control environments. The remediation process should involve comprehensive code review activities focusing on input validation and output encoding mechanisms while ensuring compliance with industry standards such as those defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 security requirements for industrial automation systems.