CVE-2022-28688 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of AVEVA Edge 2020 SP2 Patch 0(4201.2111.1802.0000). User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of APP files. The process loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17201.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2026
CVE-2022-28688 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting AVEVA Edge 2020 SP2 Patch 0(4201.2111.1802.0000) installations. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of APP files within the application's loading mechanism, specifically targeting the library loading process from unsecured locations. The flaw creates a dangerous attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate the application's execution flow by placing malicious libraries in predetermined locations, thereby achieving code execution in the context of the currently running process. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning targets must either visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios where users might be tricked into interacting with compromised content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-426, which addresses the execution of untrusted code through insecure library loading mechanisms. This weakness specifically targets applications that fail to properly validate or sanitize library paths, allowing attackers to inject malicious code through the loading process. The vulnerability operates at the system level, leveraging the trust relationship between the application and its component libraries. When the application processes an APP file, it attempts to load a required library from a location that is not properly secured or validated, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the exploitation occurs within the application's own execution context, potentially allowing full system compromise depending on the privileges of the target process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems and edge computing environments where AVEVA Edge is commonly deployed. The remote code execution capability means attackers can gain persistent access to critical infrastructure without requiring physical presence or elevated privileges. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted attacks against industrial personnel who might be susceptible to phishing campaigns or malicious document delivery. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of critical industrial processes. Organizations running AVEVA Edge in operational technology environments face increased risk of cyber attacks that could impact production systems, safety mechanisms, and overall operational continuity.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-28688 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from AVEVA, as this represents a critical vulnerability that requires vendor-provided fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and monitor for suspicious file access patterns or library loading activities. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that application processes run with minimal required permissions. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other applications that might be vulnerable to similar library loading flaws, particularly those that load external libraries without proper validation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual library loading behavior or attempts to access untrusted locations, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for execution and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Regular security awareness training for personnel handling industrial systems should be implemented to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability.