CVE-2023-3595 in 1756 EN2
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
Where this vulnerability exists in the Rockwell Automation 1756 EN2* and 1756 EN3* Ethernet/IP communication products, it could allow a malicious user to perform remote code execution with persistence on the target system through maliciously crafted CIP messages. This includes the ability to modify, deny, and exfiltrate data passing through the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3595 affects Rockwell Automation's 1756 EN2 and 1756 EN3 Ethernet/IP communication modules, which are widely deployed in industrial control systems and manufacturing environments. These devices serve as critical communication bridges between programmable logic controllers and network infrastructure, making their security paramount to operational technology environments. The flaw resides in how these industrial network devices process EtherNet/IP Common Industrial Protocol messages, specifically in their handling of malformed or specially crafted CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) commands that traverse the Ethernet/IP protocol stack.
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain persistent control over affected devices without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. The technical implementation involves improper input validation within the CIP message processing pipeline, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of the device's operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, meaning an attacker only needs network access to the device to exploit it, potentially allowing them to establish backdoors, modify device configurations, or manipulate industrial processes in real-time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network compromise, as it can result in complete system takeover with long-term persistence capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify industrial control logic, deny service to legitimate network operations, or exfiltrate sensitive operational data that could compromise entire production processes. The affected devices typically operate in closed-loop industrial environments where continuous operation is critical, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could lead to production halts, safety incidents, or unauthorized modifications to industrial processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a significant risk to industrial control systems that lack proper network segmentation and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate protection and long-term security improvements for affected industrial environments. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from general corporate networks, deploy intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for CIP protocol anomalies, and apply firmware updates provided by Rockwell Automation as soon as they become available. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for remote code execution and T1566 for malicious network protocols, highlighting the need for comprehensive network monitoring and behavioral analysis. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong access controls for device management interfaces, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system components to identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked industrial devices.