CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-21159NVD status: Modified

libiec61850: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition

CVE-2022-21159 is a high-severity loop with unreachable exit condition vulnerability in libiec61850 from MZ Automation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected libiec61850 versions: 1.5.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.82% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 79% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of libiec61850 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MZ Automationlibiec618501.5.0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD
CVSS 3.07.5HighCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 2.05.0MediumNVD

Official description

A denial of service vulnerability exists in the parseNormalModeParameters functionality of MZ Automation GmbH libiec61850 1.5.0. A specially-crafted series of network requests can lead to denial of service. An attacker can send a sequence of malformed iec61850 messages to trigger this vulnerability.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition

The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop.

More Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition vulnerabilities (CWE-835)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in libiec61850

All libiec61850 vulnerabilities

Recent Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition vulnerabilities

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