CVE-2021-22803
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious files to Schneider Electric's Interactive Graphical SCADA System Data Collector (dc.exe), potentially leading to remote code execution. Attackers can exploit this by sending specially crafted network messages to vulnerable systems. Organizations using affected versions of this SCADA software are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Interactive Graphical SCADA System Data Collector (dc.exe)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, disrupt industrial operations, manipulate SCADA data, and pivot to other critical infrastructure systems.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to data theft, system manipulation, or disruption of industrial control processes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, file upload restrictions, and monitoring are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to the vulnerable service; no authentication needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after V15.0.0.21243
Vendor Advisory: https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SEVD-2021-285-03
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the patch from Schneider Electric's security advisory. 2. Apply the patch to affected systems. 3. Restart the dc.exe service or the entire system as required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate SCADA systems from untrusted networks and implement strict firewall rules.
File Upload Restrictions
windowsImplement application-level restrictions on file uploads to the DC module.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to the vulnerable service
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the version of dc.exe; if it's V15.0.0.21243 or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Right-click dc.exe → Properties → Details tab, or use PowerShell: Get-Item "C:\Path\To\dc.exe" | Select-Object VersionInfoVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the dc.exe version is updated to a version after V15.0.0.21243.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to DC module directories
- Unexpected process execution from dc.exe
- Network connections to dc.exe from unauthorized sources
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious network traffic to the DC module port
- Unexpected file transfer patterns to SCADA systems
SIEM Query:
source="dc.exe" AND (event="file_upload" OR event="process_execution")