CVE-2022-37952 in WorkstationST
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the iHistorian Data Display of WorkstationST (<v07.09.15) could allow an attacker to compromise a victim's browser. WorkstationST is only deployed in specific, controlled environments rendering attack complexity significantly higher than if the attack were conducted on the software in isolation. WorkstationST v07.09.15 can be found in ControlST v07.09.07 SP8 and greater.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2022
The CVE-2022-37952 vulnerability represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the iHistorian Data Display component of WorkstationST software versions prior to 07.09.15. This vulnerability exists in the web-based interface that allows users to visualize historical data, creating a potential attack vector through maliciously crafted web requests. The reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when user input is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization or encoding, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context. The affected system operates within specific industrial control environments, which limits the attack surface compared to publicly accessible web applications, though this does not eliminate the security risk entirely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious URLs containing XSS payloads and deliver them to unsuspecting users within the controlled WorkstationST environment. When victims click these links, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically affects the iHistorian Data Display functionality, which processes user inputs for data visualization purposes, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control system interfaces. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output encoding in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37952 within industrial control environments is significant despite the limited attack surface. In control systems where WorkstationST is deployed, compromised user sessions could potentially lead to unauthorized access to critical data visualization tools, enabling attackers to manipulate or observe sensitive operational information. The vulnerability's presence in environments with limited network exposure does not diminish its potential impact, as social engineering attacks or insider threats could still exploit this weakness. The affected versions of WorkstationST are found in ControlST v07.09.07 SP8 and greater, indicating that organizations using these specific software versions require immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation. This vulnerability could enable attackers to leverage the industrial control system's user interface for reconnaissance or further lateral movement within the network, potentially affecting operational technology infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately update to WorkstationST version 07.09.15 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this release includes proper input validation and output encoding measures that prevent reflected XSS attacks. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to WorkstationST environments and monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict input validation policies, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software, as even specialized environments require regular security maintenance to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for personnel who interact with these systems to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. This case highlights the ATT&CK framework's relevance in industrial control systems where adversaries may leverage web-based vulnerabilities to establish persistent access within operational technology environments.