CVE-2025-4417 in PI Connector for CygNet
Summary
by MITRE • 06/12/2025
A cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in AVEVA PI Connector for CygNet Versions 1.6.14 and prior that, if exploited, could allow an administrator miscreant with local access to the connector admin portal to persist arbitrary JavaScript code that will be executed by other users who visit affected pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability in AVEVA PI Connector for CygNet represents a critical security flaw that enables persistent javascript injection attacks through the administrator portal. The vulnerability affects versions 1.6.14 and earlier, where an attacker with local access to the connector admin portal can inject malicious javascript code that persists across user sessions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where input validation and output encoding mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first gain local access to the administrator portal, which creates a privileged attack vector. Once inside the admin interface, the malicious actor can inject javascript payloads that will execute whenever other users navigate to affected pages within the application. This persistent nature of the attack means that the injected code remains active and will be executed by any user who visits the vulnerable pages, creating a potential for widespread impact across multiple users. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the use of malicious files and scripts in web applications, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that allow code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to perform actions with the privileges of the affected users. The persistence of the javascript code means that even after the initial injection, the malicious payload continues to execute for all users who access the vulnerable pages, potentially allowing for ongoing surveillance, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the system. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems environments where AVEVA PI Connector for CygNet is deployed, potentially creating risks for operational technology infrastructure that may have limited security monitoring capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of AVEVA PI Connector for CygNet where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict access controls and least privilege principles for administrator accounts, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and prevent javascript injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of administrative interfaces and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of securing administrative portals through multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, as these interfaces often represent prime targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access within industrial environments.