CVE-2023-2444 in FactoryTalk VantagePoint
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2023
A cross site request forgery vulnerability exists in Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Vantagepoint. This vulnerability can be exploited in two ways. If an attacker sends a malicious link to a computer that is on the same domain as the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint server and a user clicks the link, the attacker could impersonate the legitimate user and send requests to the affected product. Additionally, if an attacker sends an untrusted link to a computer that is not on the same domain as the server and a user opens the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint website, enters credentials for the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint server, and clicks on the malicious link a cross site request forgery attack would be successful as well.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2023
The cross site request forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2444 affects Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Vantagepoint industrial automation software platform. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk within industrial control systems where operational technology (OT) environments are increasingly connected to corporate networks. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient validation of cross-origin requests, allowing malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between users and the web application. According to CWE-352, this vulnerability maps directly to Cross-Site Request Forgery, a well-documented weakness that has been prevalent across web applications for decades. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where FactoryTalk Vantagepoint serves as a critical interface for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly implement anti-CSRF tokens or origin validation mechanisms. When users authenticate to the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint server, their session becomes active and trusted by the application. However, the system does not adequately verify the source of requests that are submitted through user interactions, particularly when those requests are initiated through links or embedded content. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct exploitation vectors that demonstrate the complexity of modern web application security challenges. The first vector occurs when an attacker crafts malicious links that exploit the same-domain trust relationship, allowing the browser to automatically submit requests on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The second exploitation method is equally dangerous as it demonstrates how the vulnerability can be leveraged across domain boundaries. In this scenario, an attacker can manipulate users who have already authenticated to the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint server by directing them to malicious links that exploit the trust relationship established during the authentication process. This cross-domain exploitation capability significantly broadens the attack surface and demonstrates how traditional security boundaries can be circumvented in industrial web applications. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration changes, data manipulation, or process control disruptions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access. In industrial control environments, successful CSRF attacks could result in significant operational disruptions, safety hazards, or financial losses. The attack could enable an attacker to modify critical factory parameters, alter production processes, or access sensitive operational data that could compromise the integrity of manufacturing operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under techniques such as T1566 (Phishing) for initial access and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) for command and control communications. The implications are particularly severe for critical infrastructure sectors where FactoryTalk Vantagepoint is commonly deployed, as these systems often control safety-critical processes where unauthorized modifications could lead to equipment damage, environmental harm, or personal injury.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2444 should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF protections within the FactoryTalk Vantagepoint application. Organizations should ensure that all state-changing requests include unique, unpredictable tokens that are validated on the server side before processing. Additionally, implementing proper origin validation checks and using the SameSite cookie attributes can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit direct access to industrial applications from untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system applications. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security awareness training for industrial personnel who may inadvertently click on malicious links, as well as the importance of maintaining current security patches for industrial software platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent suspicious cross-site request patterns that could indicate CSRF attack attempts.