CVE-2022-21219
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to read memory outside intended boundaries by tricking users into opening malicious CXP files in CX-Programmer. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution. Affected users include anyone using CX-Programmer v9.76.1 or earlier as part of the CX-One v4.60 suite.
💻 Affected Systems
- CX-Programmer
- CX-One
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within industrial control networks.
Likely Case
Information disclosure through memory leaks, potentially exposing sensitive data or credentials stored in memory.
If Mitigated
No impact if users don't open untrusted CXP files and proper application whitelisting is enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to get users to open malicious files. No public exploit code available as of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: CX-Programmer v9.77 or later, CX-One v4.61 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.omron.com/global/en/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest version from Omron website. 2. Uninstall vulnerable version. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Control
windowsRestrict execution of CX-Programmer to trusted locations only
Using Windows AppLocker or similar: Create rule to allow CX-Programmer only from Program Files
File Association Removal
windowsRemove CXP file association with CX-Programmer
Open Command Prompt as admin: assoc .cxp=
ftype CXProgrammer=
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user training against opening untrusted CXP files
- Deploy application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of CX-Programmer
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CX-Programmer version via Help > About. If version is 9.76.1 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Not applicable - check via application GUI Help > About menuVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 9.77 or later in Help > About menu.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs: Application crashes of CXProgrammer.exe
- Process creation logs showing unexpected CX-Programmer execution
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from engineering workstations after CXP file opening
SIEM Query:
EventID=1000 AND SourceName='Application Error' AND ProcessName='CXProgrammer.exe'