CVE-2022-2790 in Proficy Machine Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2022
Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition Version 9.00 and prior is vulenrable to CWE-347 Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature, and does not properly verify compiled logic (PDT files) and data blocks data (BLD/BLK files).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2022
Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software version 9.00 and earlier contains a critical cryptographic vulnerability classified as CWE-347 Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature. This weakness fundamentally undermines the security mechanisms designed to protect industrial control systems by failing to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of compiled logic files and data blocks within the system. The vulnerability specifically affects PDT files which contain compiled logic and BLD/BLK files that store data block information, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting industrial automation environments.
The technical flaw resides in the software's failure to implement proper cryptographic signature verification processes when loading and executing compiled logic files. This improper verification allows attackers to manipulate or replace legitimate PDT files with maliciously crafted versions without detection, as the system does not validate the digital signatures that should ensure file integrity. The vulnerability extends to data block files which store critical operational parameters and configuration data, meaning that both logic execution and data integrity can be compromised simultaneously. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of authentication and integrity protection that are essential in industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using Proficy Machine Edition, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the industrial control environment without detection. An attacker could potentially modify the compiled logic to alter process control behaviors, introduce malicious functionality, or create backdoors for persistent access. The lack of signature verification means that compromised files would be accepted as legitimate, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and potentially cause operational disruptions, safety hazards, or unauthorized access to critical infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity of industrial automation systems where trust in compiled logic and data blocks is paramount for safe and secure operation.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest available version of Proficy Machine Edition that addresses this cryptographic signature verification weakness. The mitigation strategy should include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized file modifications, and conducting thorough security assessments of all compiled logic and data files. Additionally, organizations should establish strict change management procedures for logic files and implement file integrity monitoring solutions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through malicious file manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust cryptographic verification mechanisms in industrial control environments. The security community should consider this vulnerability as a critical concern for industrial cybersecurity, particularly in environments where operational technology systems are not properly isolated from general computing networks, as it represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of industrial automation platforms.