Rockwell Automation MicroLogix

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 6.5
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Rockwell Automation
• Equipment: MicroLogix 1100/1400
• Vulnerability: Improper Restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a malicious user to trick a legitimate user into using an untrusted website. If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a loss of sensitive information, such as authentication credentials.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Rockwell Automation reports this vulnerability affects the following MicroLogix controllers: 

• MicroLogix 1400: Versions 21.007 and prior
• MicroLogix 1100: All versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF RENDERED UI LAYERS OR FRAMES CWE-1021

The X-Frame-Options header is not configured in the HTTP response, which could allow clickjacking attacks.

CVE-2022-2179 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

Pawan V. Sable and Pranita Binnar from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) reported this vulnerability to Rockwell Automation.

4. MITIGATIONS

Rockwell Automation encourages those using the affected software to implement the mitigations below to minimize risk. Additionally, Rockwell Automation encourages users to combine risk mitigations with security best practices (also provided below) to deploy a defense-in-depth strategy.

• Disable the web server where possible (this component is an optional feature and disabling it will not disrupt the intended use of the device).
• Configure firewalls to disallow network communication through HTTP/Port 80

If applying the mitigations noted above are not possible, please see Rockwell Automation’s Knowledgebase article QA43240 Security Best Practices.

For more information, please see the industrial security advisory from Rockwell Automation.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability these vulnerabilities. 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 this vulnerability.

• Rockwell Automation