CVE-2022-22516
📋 TL;DR
The SysDrv3S driver in CODESYS Control runtime system on Windows allows any system user to read and write restricted memory space. This vulnerability affects all Windows systems running vulnerable versions of CODESYS Control runtime, enabling privilege escalation and system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- CODESYS Control runtime system
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise through privilege escalation to SYSTEM, allowing arbitrary code execution, data theft, and complete control of the industrial control system.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation from low-privileged user to SYSTEM, enabling installation of malware, data manipulation, and disruption of industrial processes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent unauthorized users from accessing affected systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local system access but any authenticated user can exploit; no authentication bypass needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: V3.5.19.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://customers.codesys.com/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=17090&token=6cd08b169916366df31388d2e7ba58e7bce93508&download=
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CODESYS Control V3.5.19.0 or later from CODESYS customer portal. 2. Stop all CODESYS services. 3. Install the update. 4. Restart the system. 5. Verify the new version is running.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict user access
windowsLimit Windows user accounts that can access systems running CODESYS Control runtime
Network segmentation
allIsolate CODESYS Control systems from general network access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit which users can log into affected systems
- Monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts and memory access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CODESYS Control runtime version; if below V3.5.19.0, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
Check CODESYS Control runtime version in CODESYS Development System or system registryVerify Fix Applied:
Verify CODESYS Control runtime version is V3.5.19.0 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual memory access patterns in Windows event logs
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic from CODESYS systems to unauthorized destinations
SIEM Query:
EventID=4656 OR EventID=4672 from systems running CODESYS Control