CVE-2022-33939 in CENTUM Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2022
CENTUM VP / CS 3000 controller FCS (CP31, CP33, CP345, CP401, and CP451) contains an issue in processing communication packets, which may lead to resource consumption. If this vulnerability is exploited, an attacker may cause a denial of service (DoS) condition in ADL communication by sending a specially crafted packet to the affected product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-33939 affects CENTUM VP/CS 3000 controller FCS products including models CP31, CP33, CP345, CP401, and CP451. This issue resides within the communication packet processing mechanism of these industrial control systems, representing a critical weakness in the operational technology infrastructure that supports industrial automation and control processes. The affected systems operate within critical manufacturing and process control environments where reliability and continuous operation are paramount for safety and production continuity. These controllers form part of the broader CENTUM VP/CS 3000 architecture, which is widely deployed in industries such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and power generation where system availability directly impacts operational safety and economic outcomes.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient validation and processing of incoming communication packets, creating a scenario where specially crafted malicious packets can trigger excessive resource consumption within the affected controllers. This vulnerability specifically impacts the ADL (Application Data Link) communication layer, which serves as a critical pathway for data exchange between various components of the control system. The flaw allows for a condition where resource exhaustion occurs during packet processing, potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption. This represents a classic resource exhaustion vulnerability where the system's processing capabilities become overwhelmed by malformed or specially constructed data payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes resource exhaustion issues, and demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to denial of service conditions in industrial control environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of industrial processes and safety systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can cause denial of service conditions that may result in complete system unavailability or partial disruption of control functions. In industrial environments, such disruptions can lead to production halts, safety system failures, or process control anomalies that may require manual intervention or emergency shutdown procedures. The attack vector requires the adversary to send specifically crafted packets to the vulnerable controllers, making this a network-based attack that could potentially be executed remotely if network access is available. The DoS condition can persist until manual system restart or until the affected communication channel is reset, potentially causing cascading failures in interconnected control systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic. Implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unusual packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should ensure that only authorized and trusted networks can access the affected controllers, utilizing firewalls and network access control lists to restrict communication paths. Regular firmware updates and patches from the vendor should be implemented promptly to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks, and emphasizes the importance of protecting industrial control systems from remote exploitation. Additionally, implementing network traffic analysis tools and establishing baseline network behavior can help detect anomalous communication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant control systems or fail-safe mechanisms to maintain operational continuity in case of successful exploitation.