Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation Software

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.8
• ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
• Vendor: Rockwell Automation
• Equipment: Arena Simulation Software
• Vulnerabilities: Incorrect Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a malicious user to commit unauthorized arbitrary code to the software using a memory buffer overflow.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following Rockwell Automation product is affected:

• Arena Simulation Software: v16.20.01

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 INCORRECT RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119

Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation software v16.00 is vulnerable due to a memory buffer overflow, which could allow a malicious user to commit unauthorized arbitrary code.

CVE-2023-29460 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.2 INCORRECT RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A  MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119

Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation software v16.00 is vulnerable due to a memory buffer overflow, which could allow a malicious user to commit unauthorized arbitrary code.

CVE-2023-29461 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.3 INCORRECT RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119 

Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation software v16.00 is vulnerable due to a memory buffer overflow, which could allow a malicious user to remotely execute arbitrary code. 

CVE-2023-29462 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Simon Janz of Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative reported these vulnerabilities to Rockwell Automation.

4. MITIGATIONS

Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading the affected product software to 16.20.01.

Rockwell Automation encourages users to implement their suggested security best practices to minimize exploitation risk of these vulnerabilities.

For additional information, refer to Rockwell Automation’s Security Bulletin.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.