CVE-2022-34151 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting various Omron machine automation controllers and software. This vulnerability allows the use of hard-coded credentials, potentially enabling remote attackers to access sensitive systems. The affected products include the NJ series, NX series, and the Sysmac Studio software, specifically versions prior to V1.49. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.1, indicating a significant risk that organizations should take seriously.
The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to automation systems, which could lead to operational disruptions or data breaches. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability effectively if they obtain user credentials through product analysis. Given the potential impact, organizations using affected products should prioritize remediation efforts.
Immediate action is recommended as the vulnerability remains exploitable in systems not patched. Organizations should assess their environments to identify and remediate affected products promptly.
This vulnerability has been classified as modified, indicating that additional mitigations or patches may not have been fully disclosed. As such, continuous monitoring for updates from Omron is crucial.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that the vulnerability is present in the following products: Machine automation controller NJ series (all models V 1.48 and earlier), NX7 series (all models V1.28 and earlier), NX1 series (all models V1.48 and earlier), Sysmac Studio (all models V1.49 and earlier), and Programmable Terminal (PT) NA series models Runtime V1.15 and earlier. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-798, which pertains to the use of hard-coded credentials.
The CVSS score is 8.1, indicating a high severity level due to the potential for significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The attack vector is network-based, with a high attack complexity and no privileges required, meaning that an attacker could exploit the vulnerability without prior authentication.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the hard-coded credentials implemented within the affected devices. This design flaw allows attackers who can analyze the device to obtain these credentials, facilitating unauthorized access.
The attack vector is primarily network-based, enabling remote exploitation. Attack complexity is rated as high, which may limit the number of attackers who can successfully exploit this vulnerability. Notably, no user interaction is required, which further increases the risk.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability poses significant threats to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized control over automation processes.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is substantial, especially in critical infrastructure environments relying on these automation products. The potential blast radius includes operational disruptions and unauthorized access to sensitive data, which is paramount for organizations that depend on automated systems.
Given the CVSS score of 8.1 and the absence of a known exploit in the wild, the urgency assessment is high. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle to mitigate risks effectively.
This vulnerability exemplifies a broader trend in cybersecurity, where hard-coded credentials remain a critical vulnerability vector. The lessons learned from this incident can help organizations strengthen their security postures.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by this vulnerability: all models of the NJ series (up to V1.48), NX series (up to V1.28), NX1 series (up to V1.48), Sysmac Studio (up to V1.49), and NA series (Runtime V1.15 and earlier). Organizations should ensure they are running updated firmware and software to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems as detailed in the vendor's advisory. The recommended action is to upgrade to the latest firmware or software version that addresses this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, implement robust access controls and continuously monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities related to affected products.
For comprehensive security postures, organizations may also consider utilizing penetration testing to identify and rectify similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for anomalous behavior in automation systems is critical. Security teams should look for unusual access patterns, failed login attempts, and unexpected configuration changes in the affected products. Implementing logging mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-34151 highlights ongoing challenges regarding hard-coded credentials in industrial automation products. Security teams should analyze this incident to strengthen security practices and policies within their organizations. Regular vulnerability assessments and updates can mitigate risks associated with similar vulnerabilities.
For further information on penetration testing methodologies, organizations can refer to our resources on penetration testing methodology, as well as insights on effective vulnerability management programs and best practices for API security to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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