CVE-2022-26077 in OAS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
A cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability exists in the OAS Engine configuration communications functionality of Open Automation Software OAS Platform V16.00.0112. A targeted network sniffing attack can lead to a disclosure of sensitive information. An attacker can sniff network traffic to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26077 represents a critical cleartext transmission flaw within the Open Automation Software OAS Platform version 16.00.0112. This issue specifically affects the OAS Engine configuration communications functionality, where sensitive data is being transmitted without adequate encryption mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, as outlined in CWE-310, where confidential information is exposed due to insufficient cryptographic protection during data transmission. The affected system operates within industrial automation environments where configuration data, operational parameters, and potentially sensitive operational information flow between components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of secure communication protocols in the OAS Engine's configuration communication channels. When network traffic is captured through passive monitoring techniques, attackers can readily intercept and analyze the transmitted data without requiring any specialized decryption capabilities. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles established in the NIST SP 800-52 standard for secure communication protocols, particularly in environments where industrial control systems are deployed. The cleartext transmission exposes not only configuration parameters but also potentially authentication credentials, system identifiers, and operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain deeper insights into the target system's configuration and operational state. Network sniffing attacks can reveal system topology, identify active components, and gather intelligence that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and T1071 which covers application layer protocols. The exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks against the industrial control system infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26077 should prioritize the implementation of encrypted communication protocols throughout the OAS Engine configuration communications channels. Organizations should deploy TLS/SSL encryption for all network communications involving sensitive data transmission, ensuring that all configuration data flows are protected from interception. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the attack surface, while regular network monitoring should be employed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify cleartext data transmission patterns. Additionally, the affected OAS Platform version should be updated to the latest available patch release from Open Automation Software, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that has likely been addressed in subsequent software versions. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of all industrial communication protocols to identify similar cleartext transmission vulnerabilities throughout the operational technology infrastructure, aligning with the security requirements specified in IEC 62443 standards for industrial automation and control systems.