CVE-2022-47392 in Control
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2023
An authenticated, remote attacker may use a improper input validation vulnerability in the CmpApp/CmpAppBP/CmpAppForce Components of multiple CODESYS products in multiple versions to read from an invalid address which can lead to a denial-of-service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-47392 represents a critical input validation flaw affecting multiple CODESYS products including CmpApp, CmpAppBP, and CmpAppForce components. This issue stems from inadequate validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the component processing logic where invalid memory addresses may be accessed during normal operational procedures. According to CWE-20, this vulnerability falls under improper input validation, a fundamental weakness that has been consistently identified as a primary vector for various security breaches across industrial control systems and embedded platforms. The affected CODESYS products are widely deployed in industrial automation environments where reliability and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for critical infrastructure sectors.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2022-47392 occurs when an authenticated attacker submits maliciously crafted input data through the vulnerable components, triggering improper memory access patterns that result in invalid address reads. This flaw does not directly enable arbitrary code execution or data exfiltration but creates a reliable denial-of-service condition that can disrupt system operations and potentially cause cascading failures in automated processes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, meaning that attackers with legitimate access privileges can leverage this weakness to destabilize systems. The memory access violations typically manifest as system crashes, process terminations, or resource exhaustion conditions that prevent normal operational functionality. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and potentially T1566.001 for initial access through valid credentials.
The operational implications of CVE-2022-47392 extend beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise industrial control system integrity and availability. In environments where CODESYS products control critical manufacturing processes, power grid operations, or other essential services, this vulnerability could lead to significant operational downtime with financial and safety consequences. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that insider threats or compromised accounts pose a substantial risk, as the attacker need not rely on external reconnaissance or privilege escalation techniques. Organizations utilizing these components should consider the broader impact on their operational technology infrastructure, particularly in scenarios where system uptime is critical for safety or production requirements. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the CODESYS product line indicates a systemic issue that requires comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-47392 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from CODESYS vendors, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access vulnerable components. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of component usage that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory access anomalies or repeated invalid input patterns. Additionally, implementing robust input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their CODESYS deployments to identify all potentially affected components and ensure complete remediation across their industrial control system environments. The vulnerability's classification as a denial-of-service condition means that traditional intrusion detection systems may not immediately flag exploitation attempts, requiring specialized monitoring approaches tailored to industrial control system behaviors.