CVE-2022-30792 in CODESYS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2022
In CmpChannelServer of CODESYS V3 in multiple versions an uncontrolled ressource consumption allows an unauthorized attacker to block new communication channel connections. Existing connections are not affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-30792 resides within the CmpChannelServer component of CODESYS V3, a widely used industrial automation software platform. This issue represents a significant resource exhaustion flaw that can be exploited by unauthorized attackers to disrupt communication within industrial control systems. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple versions of the CODESYS V3 software, making it a widespread concern across various industrial environments that rely on this automation platform for critical operations.
The technical flaw manifests as an uncontrolled resource consumption mechanism within the CmpChannelServer module. When an attacker sends carefully crafted malformed requests or performs specific sequences of operations against the server, the system fails to properly manage its resource allocation for new communication channels. This lack of proper resource management leads to a gradual depletion of available connection slots or memory resources dedicated to channel establishment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in industrial settings where network accessibility may be limited but still present.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a denial-of-service condition that specifically targets new communication channel connections while leaving existing connections unaffected. This selective impact means that attackers can disrupt system functionality by preventing new devices from connecting to the automation platform, effectively halting new operational processes or data collection activities. The persistence of existing connections provides some mitigation but does not address the core issue of preventing new communications, which can severely impact industrial processes that require continuous connectivity and real-time data exchange. Organizations using CODESYS V3 may experience production delays, monitoring gaps, and operational inefficiencies as the system becomes unable to accept new connection requests.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and demonstrates characteristics consistent with resource exhaustion attacks that are frequently categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.1 for "Endpoint Denial of Service." This classification indicates that the attack vector targets the availability of system resources rather than directly compromising data integrity or confidentiality. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems where maintaining continuous communication is critical for operational safety and process control. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring for unusual connection patterns as part of their defensive strategies. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular software updates and security patches in industrial environments where legacy systems may be running vulnerable versions of critical automation software.