AVEVA PI Server

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.5
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: AVEVA
• Equipment: PI Server
• Vulnerabilities: Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions, Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to crash the product being accessed or throttle the memory leading to a partial denial-of-service condition.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of AVEVA PI Server, are affected:

• PI Server: 2023
• PI Server: 2018 SP3 P05 and prior

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER CHECK OR HANDLING OF EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS CWE-703

AVEVA PI Server versions 2023 and 2018 SP3 P05 and prior contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to remotely crash the PI Message Subsystem of a PI Server, resulting in a denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2023-34348 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.2.2 MISSING RELEASE OF RESOURCE AFTER EFFECTIVE LIFETIME CWE-772

AVEVA PI Server versions 2023 and 2018 SP3 P05 and prior contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to cause the PI Message Subsystem of a PI Server to consume available memory resulting in throttled processing of new PI Data Archive events and a partial denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2023-31274 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

AVEVA reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

All affected versions can be fixed by upgrading to AVEVA PI Server version 2023 Patch 1 or later. From OSI Soft Customer Portal, search for "PI Server" and select version "2023 Patch 1".

For an alternative fix, AVEVA PI Server 2018 SP3 Patch 5 and prior can be fixed by deploying AVEVA PI Server version 2018 SP3 Patch 6 or later. From OSI Soft Customer Portal, search for "PI Server" and select version "2018 SP3 Patch 6".

AVEVA recommends that organizations evaluate the impact of these vulnerabilities based on their operational environment, architecture, and product implementation. Users with the affected products should apply security updates as soon as possible.

AVEVA recommends the following defensive measures:

• Set the PI Message Subsystem to auto restart.
• Monitor the memory usage of the PI Message Subsystem.
• Limit network access to port 5450 to trusted workstations and software
• Confirm that only authorized users have access to write to the PI Server Message Log. This is done through configuration of the PIMSGSS entry within the Database Security plugin accessible through PI System Management Tools.

For more information on this vulnerability, including security updates, users should see security bulletin AVEVA-2024-001.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more 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 the 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 on 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.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

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 exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• January 18, 2024: Initial Publication

• AVEVA