AVEVA PI Web API

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.4 *ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: AVEVA
• Equipment: PI Web API
• Vulnerability: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of AVEVA PI Web API, a RESTful interface to the PI system, are affected:

• AVEVA PI Web API: Versions 2023 and prior

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1Deserialization of Untrusted Data CWE-502

There is a vulnerability in AVEVA PI Web API that could allow malicious code to execute on the PI Web API environment under the privileges of an interactive user that was socially engineered to use API XML import functionality with content supplied by an attacker.

CVE-2024-3468 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-3468. A base score of 8.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United Kingdom

3.4 RESEARCHER

AVEVA reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

AVEVA recommends that organizations evaluate the impact of these vulnerabilities based on their operational environment, architecture, and product implementation. Customers using affected products should apply security updates as soon as possible:

From OSI Soft Customer Portal, search for “PI Web API” and select version “2023 SP1” or later.

(Alternative) PI Web API 2021 SP3 can be fixed by upgrading PI AF Client to one of the versions specified in AVEVA Security Bulletin AVEVA-2024-004 / ICSA-24-163-03

AVEVA further recommends users follow general defensive measures:

• Set “DisableWrites” configuration setting to true, if this instance of PI Web API is used only for reading data or GET requests.
• Uninstall Core Endpoints feature if this instance of PI Web API is used only for data collection from AVEVA Adapters. Keep OMF feature installed.
• Limit AF Servers’ Administrators, so that most of the PI Web API user accounts don’t have the permission to change the backend AF servers.

For additional information please refer to AVEVA-2024-003

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• June 11, 2024: Initial Publication