CVE-2022-38744 in FactoryTalk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2022
An unauthenticated attacker with network access to a victim's Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Alarm and Events service could open a connection, causing the service to fault and become unavailable. The affected port could be used as a server ping port and uses messages structured with XML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38744 represents a critical availability-of-service weakness within Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Alarm and Events service, a component widely deployed in industrial control systems and supervisory control and data acquisition environments. This flaw manifests as a denial-of-service condition that can be exploited by unauthenticated network attackers who gain access to the targeted system's network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the service's handling of XML-structured messages transmitted over a designated server ping port, creating an attack surface that directly impacts operational continuity in industrial environments where system uptime is paramount for safety and production processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the FactoryTalk Alarm and Events service daemon. When an attacker sends malformed or specially crafted XML messages to the designated server ping port, the service fails to properly parse or handle these inputs, resulting in a service fault that renders the entire alarm and event management functionality unavailable. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness that can lead to various security issues including denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only network access to the target system, eliminating the need for authentication credentials and making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial networks may have limited security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-38744 extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting critical industrial processes that rely on timely alarm and event notifications for safety monitoring and operational control. In manufacturing environments, the unavailability of alarm and event services can lead to delayed responses to critical process conditions, increased risk of equipment damage, and potential safety hazards. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly concerning for environments governed by industrial security standards such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82, which emphasize the importance of maintaining availability of critical control system functions. The attack vector through the server ping port indicates this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader reconnaissance activities or as a component in more sophisticated attack chains targeting industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-38744 should focus on network segmentation and access control measures to prevent unauthorized access to the affected service port. Organizations should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the server ping port from trusted network segments only, while also considering network monitoring to detect anomalous XML message patterns. The Rockwell Automation vendor has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, which should be applied immediately to affected systems. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for XML message anomalies and establishing network access control policies that limit exposure of industrial services to external networks will significantly reduce the attack surface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) and T1595.001 (Network Denial of Service) techniques, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that address both internal and external threats to industrial control system availability.