CVE-2022-2465 in ISaGRAF Workbench
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
Rockwell Automation ISaGRAF Workbench software versions 6.0 through 6.6.9 are affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability. ISaGRAF Workbench does not limit the objects that can be deserialized. This vulnerability allows attackers to craft a malicious serialized object that, if opened by a local user in ISaGRAF Workbench, may result in remote code execution. This vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2465 affects Rockwell Automation ISaGRAF Workbench software across versions 6.0 through 6.6.9, representing a critical deserialization flaw that exposes industrial control systems to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category of Deserialization of Untrusted Data, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices where applications fail to properly validate or restrict the types of objects that can be deserialized from untrusted input sources. The flaw exists because ISaGRAF Workbench lacks proper object validation mechanisms during the deserialization process, allowing attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that can be executed when opened by local users within the application environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a specific attack vector involving user interaction, as the malicious serialized object must be opened by a local user within the ISaGRAF Workbench application for remote code execution to occur. This dependency on user interaction creates a social engineering component to the attack but does not eliminate the severity of the vulnerability. The deserialization flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the ISaGRAF Workbench application, potentially allowing for complete system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to operational technology environments where these workbench tools are used for developing and managing industrial automation applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments where Rockwell Automation ISaGRAF Workbench is deployed. The potential for remote code execution creates opportunities for attackers to gain persistent access to industrial networks, potentially leading to disruption of critical processes, data manipulation, or system compromise that could affect safety and operational integrity. The vulnerability affects environments where industrial automation systems are managed, including manufacturing plants, process control facilities, and other industrial environments where ISaGRAF Workbench is utilized for developing control applications. Organizations using these tools face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that could exploit this weakness to establish footholds within their industrial networks.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-2465 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Rockwell Automation to address the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and user privilege management to limit who can open potentially malicious files within the ISaGRAF Workbench environment. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to open suspicious serialized objects. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves phishing and social engineering to deliver malicious payloads, making user awareness training essential for preventing exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted serialized objects and establish robust file validation procedures to prevent the execution of potentially malicious content within industrial automation environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial software development and the critical need for proper input validation in applications handling user-supplied data.