CVE-2022-47381 in Control
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2023
An authenticated remote attacker may use a stack based out-of-bounds write vulnerability in multiple CODESYS products in multiple versions to write data into the stack which can lead to a denial-of-service condition, memory overwriting, or remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-47381 represents a critical stack-based out-of-bounds write flaw affecting multiple CODESYS products across various versions. This vulnerability resides within industrial automation software platforms that are widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments including manufacturing systems, power grids, and industrial control systems. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted inputs that exceed allocated stack buffer boundaries, creating a serious security risk for operational technology environments where system reliability and safety are paramount. The affected CODESYS products are commonly used in SCADA systems and industrial IoT deployments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations managing sensitive industrial processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the software's memory management routines, specifically when handling user-supplied data in stack-based buffer operations. When legitimate authenticated users submit malformed input parameters to the affected CODESYS applications, the software fails to validate input lengths against allocated buffer sizes, resulting in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target systems, and the authenticated requirement suggests that legitimate credentials are sufficient to initiate the attack vector, potentially allowing for privilege escalation within the industrial control environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to encompass potential system compromise and memory corruption that could lead to complete system instability. Remote code execution capabilities within industrial control environments pose significant risks to operational continuity, as compromised systems could result in production halts, safety system failures, or unauthorized process modifications. The memory overwriting aspect of this vulnerability could potentially corrupt critical system data structures, application state information, or even security-related variables that protect industrial processes. Organizations utilizing CODESYS products in critical infrastructure environments face heightened risk of cascading failures, especially when these systems are interconnected with other industrial components, as the compromised system could affect downstream processes or communication protocols that depend on stable system operation. This vulnerability particularly impacts the integrity and availability aspects of the CIA triad, potentially undermining the operational security posture of industrial environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-47381 should prioritize immediate patching of affected CODESYS products through official vendor updates and security advisories. Organizations must implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of industrial systems to untrusted networks while maintaining the authenticated access requirements for exploitation. The implementation of input validation controls and enhanced monitoring for anomalous system behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts, though these measures are secondary to proper patch management. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify all instances of affected CODESYS products and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution within industrial control systems, emphasizing the need for robust network security controls and regular security assessments of operational technology environments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as application whitelisting, intrusion detection systems specifically configured for industrial protocols, and regular security audits of industrial automation systems to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.