B&R Automation Studio
Plan Patch7.5ICS-CERT ICSA-20-093-01Apr 2, 2020
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredLow
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
B&R Automation Studio versions 4.0.x, 4.1.x, and 4.2.x contain vulnerabilities related to improper privilege handling and insecure file operations in the upgrade service. These vulnerabilities allow an attacker with local access to delete arbitrary files, read sensitive files from the system, or write files to arbitrary locations. The upgrade service operates with elevated privileges and does not properly validate file paths or restrict operations to intended directories. Additionally, the upgrade server previously served HTTP links in configuration files, allowing potential interception or manipulation.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with local access to an engineering workstation could delete arbitrary files, read sensitive files, or write files to the system, potentially compromising the integrity of automation projects or the workstation itself.
Who's at risk
Manufacturing operations using B&R Automation Studio on engineering workstations, particularly those running older versions (4.0.x through 4.2.x). This affects anyone who develops, deploys, or maintains automation logic for industrial controllers and programmable devices.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with local user privileges on a workstation running Automation Studio can exploit vulnerabilities in the upgrade service and file handling to delete arbitrary files, read files outside the intended scope, or write files to arbitrary locations on the system.
Prerequisites
- Local user account on the engineering workstation running Automation Studio
- Automation Studio versions 4.0.x through 4.2.x
- Ability to interact with the upgrade service or file operations within Automation Studio
Local access requiredLow complexity attackNo patch available for older versionsAffects engineering workstationsImpacts file system integrity and confidentiality
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.7%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Automation Studio:< 4.4.9SP; < 4.6.3SP; 4.1.x and 6 more4.3 or later
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/2HARDENINGManually restrict permissions on the Automation Studio installation directory to limit access
HARDENINGLimit access to engineering workstations running Automation Studio to authorized personnel only
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/3Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
HOTFIXUpgrade Automation Studio to version 4.3 or later
HOTFIXFor versions 4.3 and later, ensure the application uses .NET Framework's native ZIP implementation instead of SharpZipLib
HOTFIXUpgrade B&R upgrade server to serve HTTPS links and enforce Microsoft .NET Framework certificate checks
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