CVE-2022-26417
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2022-26417 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Omron CX-Position software that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening a malicious project file. This affects industrial control system operators using CX-Position version 2.5.3 and earlier for motion control programming. Successful exploitation could give attackers full control of the affected system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Omron CX-Position
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the CX-Position user, potentially leading to disruption of industrial processes, data theft, or lateral movement within OT networks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or remote code execution when users open malicious project files, potentially disrupting motion control systems in manufacturing environments.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege principles, and file validation are implemented, with exploitation requiring user interaction.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to get users to open malicious project files; no public exploit code is known, but the vulnerability is well-documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.5.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ia.omron.com/product/vulnerability/OMSR-2022-001_en.pdf
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CX-Position version 2.5.4 or later from Omron's official website. 2. Back up existing projects and configurations. 3. Uninstall the vulnerable version. 4. Install the updated version. 5. Restart the system. 6. Verify the installation by checking the version number.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict project file execution
windowsConfigure Windows to prevent execution of untrusted .cxp project files or restrict CX-Position from opening files from untrusted sources.
Use Windows Group Policy to restrict file associations for .cxp files
Configure application whitelisting to control CX-Position execution
Network segmentation
allIsolate CX-Position systems from untrusted networks and implement strict firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access.
Configure firewall rules to restrict inbound/outbound traffic to CX-Position systems
Implement network segmentation between OT and IT networks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user training to never open project files from untrusted sources
- Deploy application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized software
- Use least privilege principles - run CX-Position with minimal necessary permissions
- Monitor for suspicious file access and process creation related to CX-Position
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the CX-Position version by opening the software and navigating to Help > About. If version is 2.5.3 or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check Help > About in CX-Position GUI (no CLI command available)Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the version is 2.5.4 or later in Help > About. Test opening legitimate project files to ensure functionality is maintained.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process crashes of CX-Position.exe
- Creation of suspicious child processes from CX-Position
- Access to unusual project files or network connections
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from systems running CX-Position
- File transfers of .cxp files from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Image ends with 'CX-Position.exe' AND (CommandLine contains '.cxp' OR ParentImage not in approved_list)