CVE-2022-3157 in GuardLogix
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2022
A vulnerability exists in the Rockwell Automation controllers that allows a malformed CIP request to cause a major non-recoverable fault (MNRF) and a denial-of-service condition (DOS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3157 resides within Rockwell Automation controllers, which are critical components in industrial control systems and supervisory control and data acquisition environments. These controllers form the backbone of manufacturing and industrial automation processes, making their security paramount to operational continuity. The flaw manifests through improper handling of Communication Integration Protocol (CIP) requests, which are fundamental to device communication within industrial networks. CIP serves as the primary communication protocol for industrial automation devices, enabling data exchange between controllers, sensors, actuators, and human machine interfaces. When a malformed CIP request is received by the affected Rockwell Automation controllers, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, leading to a critical system failure state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the controller's communication processing stack. Specifically, the controller's CIP service handler does not adequately check the structure, length, or content of incoming requests before processing them. This weakness creates a condition where an attacker can craft specially formatted CIP packets that, when processed by the controller, trigger an immediate and severe system response. The manifestation of this flaw results in what is termed a Major Non-Recoverable Fault (MNRF), a state where the controller cannot continue normal operations and requires manual intervention or complete system reboot to restore functionality. The vulnerability effectively creates a denial-of-service condition that can be triggered remotely, potentially disrupting industrial processes and production lines.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3157 extends far beyond simple service interruption, as it represents a critical threat to industrial control system availability and operational integrity. In manufacturing environments, where continuous operation is essential for production schedules and revenue generation, a denial-of-service condition can result in significant financial losses, safety risks, and production delays. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the industrial network to cause disruption, making it particularly dangerous in connected industrial environments. This flaw can be exploited to cause cascading failures in industrial processes, potentially affecting downstream systems and creating wider operational disruptions. The MNRF condition typically requires system restart or manual reset procedures, which can take considerable time and may require specialized technical personnel.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3157 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected controllers to untrusted networks, following principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. Applying manufacturer-provided security patches and firmware updates represents the most effective immediate solution, as these updates typically include proper input validation and sanitization routines. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous CIP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, with intrusion detection systems configured to alert on malformed CIP requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input length, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service. Organizations should also consider implementing industrial control system security monitoring tools and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to industrial environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other components of the industrial network infrastructure.