CVE-2022-35871 in Ignition
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Inductive Automation Ignition 8.1.15 (b2022030114). Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the authenticateAdSso method. The issue results from the lack of authentication prior to allowing the execution of python code. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-17206.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Inductive Automation Ignition 8.1.15 that fundamentally undermines the security model of the affected system. The vulnerability exists within the authenticateAdSso method, which serves as a critical authentication endpoint for Active Directory Single Sign-On functionality. The flaw stems from the complete absence of authentication requirements before permitting code execution, creating an attack surface that allows unauthenticated remote exploitation. This design oversight enables attackers to bypass all authentication mechanisms and directly invoke python code execution within the Ignition runtime environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without any prerequisite authentication steps, meaning that any remote attacker with network access to the target system can exploit this flaw. The authentication bypass occurs at the method level where the system should have validated credentials before proceeding with code execution, but instead immediately processes the incoming request and executes python code in the context of the SYSTEM user account.
The technical implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the highest privileges available to the Ignition application, which typically runs with SYSTEM-level permissions on Windows systems. This privilege escalation occurs because the vulnerable method directly accepts and processes python code without verifying the identity or authorization status of the requesting entity. The SYSTEM context provides access to all system resources, files, registry entries, and network capabilities that the Ignition application can access, effectively granting the attacker complete control over the target system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization" where a system fails to properly verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, as the system allows unrestricted code execution without proper authentication verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses multiple attack vectors and potential consequences for affected organizations. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require any specialized knowledge or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems and automation environments where security may be less robust. Organizations using Ignition for critical infrastructure applications face significant risks, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes, disrupt operations, or gain access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed automation platform means that organizations across multiple industries, including manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors, could be at risk. Attackers can use this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, establish command and control capabilities, or execute destructive operations that could have physical consequences in industrial environments. The ZDI-CAN-17206 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified and tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation is to apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the authentication bypass in the authenticateAdSso method. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Ignition systems, particularly restricting access to the specific ports and endpoints associated with the vulnerable authentication method. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious code execution patterns, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough security assessments of all industrial control systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication design patterns and the need for security reviews of all authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as application firewalls, privilege monitoring, and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python' becomes highly relevant in this context as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute python commands directly on the compromised system. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address remote code execution vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, given the potential for both digital and physical security consequences.