CVE-2022-34765 in X80 Advanced RTU Communication Module
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2022
A CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability exists that could cause loading of unauthorized firmware images when user-controlled data is written to the file path. Affected Products: X80 advanced RTU Communication Module (BMENOR2200H) (V2.01 and later), OPC UA Modicon Communication Module (BMENUA0100) (V1.10 and prior)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2022
The CVE-2022-34765 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw classified under CWE-73, which specifically addresses external control of file name or path. This vulnerability manifests within industrial communication modules, particularly affecting the X80 advanced RTU Communication Module (BMENOR2200H) version 2.01 and later, as well as the OPC UA Modicon Communication Module (BMENUA0100) version 1.10 and prior. The flaw occurs when user-controlled data is improperly incorporated into file path operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized firmware loading operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the firmware update processes of these industrial devices. When legitimate users or attackers provide manipulated input data that gets directly concatenated or interpolated into file path strings, the system becomes susceptible to path traversal attacks. This allows adversaries to bypass normal file access controls and potentially load malicious firmware images that could compromise the entire communication module's operational integrity.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments where these modules are deployed. The ability to load unauthorized firmware images directly translates to potential system compromise, data exfiltration capabilities, and disruption of industrial processes. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to networked industrial devices, potentially leading to supply chain attacks or lateral movement within operational technology networks. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to threaten broader industrial ecosystem security.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-34765 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization procedures that prevent user-controlled data from being directly incorporated into file path operations. Organizations should enforce strict path validation mechanisms that reject any input containing directory traversal sequences or special characters. The implementation of secure coding practices including parameterized queries and proper input sanitization aligns with established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these communication modules to untrusted networks. Regular firmware updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure ongoing protection against similar weaknesses that may exist in industrial communication infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of addressing file path manipulation issues in embedded systems and industrial control environments where security failures can have far-reaching operational consequences.