CVE-2022-2848 in Kepware KEPServerEX
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kepware KEPServerEX 6.11.718.0. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of text encoding conversions. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-16486.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2848 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Kepware KEPServerEX version 6.11.718.0, a widely deployed industrial automation server software. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically manifests during text encoding conversion processes within the software's core functionality, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control systems where KEPServerEX serves as a critical communication hub between various industrial devices and supervisory control systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the text encoding conversion routines. When user-supplied data undergoes encoding conversion, the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into heap-based buffers. This absence of proper bounds checking creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory overwrite conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly severe as it can be leveraged remotely without prior access credentials, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and control through application layer protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation grants attackers code execution privileges with SYSTEM-level access. This privilege escalation capability means that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially compromising the entire industrial control network. The implications are particularly grave in industrial environments where KEPServerEX typically operates as a central communication node, serving as a gateway between field devices and higher-level monitoring systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate industrial processes, disrupt operations, or even cause physical damage to equipment, making this vulnerability a significant concern for critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and water utilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to KEPServerEX systems, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities related to the affected software. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems with signatures for known exploitation patterns and conducting regular vulnerability assessments can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in industrial control systems, where the consequences of memory corruption vulnerabilities can extend far beyond traditional information technology environments into physical safety and operational integrity domains. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged access management controls and regular security audits to reduce the attack surface and ensure proper system hardening practices are maintained across industrial automation environments.