CVE-2022-45088 in Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2023
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Group Arge Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web allows PHP Local File Inclusion.
This issue affects Smartpower Web: before 23.01.01.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
The CVE-2022-45088 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Group Arge Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web platform, specifically targeting the PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability category. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the application's PHP environment. The vulnerability exists in versions of Smartpower Web prior to 23.01.01, indicating a widespread issue affecting numerous deployments of this industrial control software. The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness where applications fail to adequately validate or sanitize input data. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate application behavior by injecting malicious file paths through input parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web application risks, particularly within industrial control environments where Smartpower Web systems manage critical infrastructure operations. Attackers exploiting this LFI vulnerability can potentially access local files on the server, including configuration files, database credentials, and other sensitive data that may be stored in accessible locations. The implications are severe as this could enable adversaries to escalate privileges, access administrative interfaces, or even compromise the entire industrial control system. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial environments where system integrity and security are paramount for operational continuity and safety.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for PHP execution and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments that could exploit this weakness. The attack surface is broad as the LFI vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to full system compromise. Security practitioners must recognize that industrial control systems like Smartpower Web often operate in isolated networks but remain vulnerable to attacks that can escalate through lateral movement. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that many industrial environments lack comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities. Organizations deploying Smartpower Web software must understand that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to operational technology environments, potentially affecting process control systems, monitoring interfaces, and data integrity mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45088 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 23.01.01 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the Smartpower Web interface, particularly restricting access to only authorized administrative personnel. Input validation should be strengthened through the implementation of strict parameter sanitization, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths and the removal of dangerous input patterns. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include vulnerability scanning specifically targeting LFI vulnerabilities in web-based interfaces. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file access patterns or unauthorized system modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must also include security awareness training for personnel who interact with industrial control systems to prevent social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability.