CVE-2022-25230
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in Omron CX-Programmer software allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or disclose information when users open malicious CXP files. This affects CX-Programmer v9.76.1 and earlier as part of the CX-One v4.60 suite. Industrial control system operators using this PLC programming software are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Omron CX-Programmer
- Omron CX-One
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control over the engineering workstation, potentially enabling lateral movement to PLCs and industrial networks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to data theft, system manipulation, or installation of persistent malware on engineering workstations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and user awareness preventing malicious file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires social engineering to get user to open malicious file; exploitation requires understanding of file format.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: CX-Programmer v9.77 or later, CX-One v4.61 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ia.omron.com/product/vulnerability/OMSR-2022-001_en.pdf
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest CX-Programmer/CX-One from Omron support portal. 2. Uninstall current version. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict CXP file handling
windowsChange file associations to open CXP files in text editor instead of CX-Programmer
assoc .cxp=txtfile
ftype txtfile=%SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
Application whitelisting
windowsBlock execution of CX-Programmer except from trusted locations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation for engineering workstations
- Train users to never open CXP files from untrusted sources and implement file integrity monitoring
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CX-Programmer version via Help > About in application or check installed programs in Control PanelCheck Version:
wmic product where "name like '%CX-Programmer%'" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is v9.77 or later and test opening known-good CXP files📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process crashes of CX-Programmer.exe
- Suspicious child processes spawned from CX-Programmer
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from engineering workstation following CXP file opening
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Image contains 'CX-Programmer.exe' and CommandLine contains '.cxp'