Matrikon OPC Server

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 5.8
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely
• Vendor: Matrikon, a subsidiary of Honeywell
• Equipment: Matrikon OPC Server
• Vulnerability: Improper Access Control

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to achieve remote command execution with system-level privileges through the support of the IPersistFile COM interface.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Makitron OPC software are affected:

• Matrikon OPC Server: All versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    IMPROPER ACCESS CONTROL CWE-284

The affected product is vulnerable to a condition where a low-privileged user allowed to connect to the OPC server to use the functions of the IPersisFile can execute operating system processes with system-level privileges.

CVE-2022-1261 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.8 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple Sectors
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Canada

3.4 RESEARCHER

William Knowles of Applied Risk reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Matrikon advises affected users to apply mitigations from its security best practices document (login required).

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. 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 the business network.
• 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 on cisa.gov Several recommended 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 on cisa.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.



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

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. This vulnerability has a high attack complexity.

• Makitron