CVE-2022-2793 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-353 Missing Support for Integrity Check, and has no authentication or authorization of data packets after establishing a connection for the SRTP protocol.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2793 affects Emerson Electric's Proficy Machine Edition software version 9.00 and earlier, presenting a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity and authenticity of data communications. This flaw resides in the Secure Real-time Transport Protocol implementation where the system fails to properly validate data packets after connection establishment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate or inject false information into the communication stream. The absence of proper integrity checks and authentication mechanisms represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of the system's network protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from CWE-353, which specifically addresses the absence of support for integrity checks in security protocols. In the context of Proficy Machine Edition, this manifests as the system's inability to verify that data packets received over SRTP have not been tampered with during transmission. The lack of authentication mechanisms means that once a connection is established, any party capable of intercepting or modifying network traffic can potentially alter the data without detection. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects industrial control systems where data integrity is paramount for operational safety and system reliability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate critical industrial processes. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness could alter sensor readings, control commands, or operational parameters, potentially leading to equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or production disruptions. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where Proficy Machine Edition controls critical infrastructure, as the lack of integrity verification means that malicious modifications could go undetected while compromising the entire industrial control system's operational integrity. This weakness effectively removes a fundamental security guarantee that should be inherent in any secure communication protocol used in industrial environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper integrity checking mechanisms and authentication protocols within the SRTP implementation. Organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of Proficy Machine Edition where these security flaws have been addressed, while also implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns. The remediation approach must align with industrial security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and IEC 62443, which emphasize the importance of secure communication protocols in industrial control systems. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems and regular security assessments can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they cause operational damage. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust security controls in industrial environments where the consequences of security breaches can extend far beyond traditional information technology impacts.