CVE-2022-28685
Published: 29 March 2023
Summary
CVE-2022-28685 is a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Aveva Aveva Edge. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 11.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2022-28685 affects AVEVA Edge 2020 SP2 Patch 0 (build 4201.2111.1802.0000) and stems from improper validation during APP file parsing. The flaw permits deserialization of untrusted data (CWE-502), enabling arbitrary code execution when a malicious file is processed. The vulnerability received a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 and was originally reported as ZDI-CAN-17212.
An attacker can exploit the issue by supplying a crafted APP file that the victim must open or that is loaded after visiting a malicious page. Successful exploitation grants code execution in the context of the current user process; no elevated privileges are required beyond normal file-handling rights.
AVEVA has published Security Bulletin AVEVA-2022-005 with remediation guidance, and the Zero Day Initiative released advisory ZDI-22-1124 detailing the flaw. The associated EPSS score rose from low values after disclosure to a peak of 0.1526 on 2025-12-11 before receding to the current 0.0401, indicating a period of increased exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-33127
Vulnerability details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of AVEVA Edge 2020 SP2 Patch 0(4201.2111.1802.0000). User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious…
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file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of APP files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in deserialization of untrusted data. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17212.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing supplies malicious serialized objects, detecting unsafe deserialization and supporting corrective actions.
Evaluation of untrusted data handling (deserialization testing) reveals unsafe processing, which the required remediation process addresses.
Untrusted serialized data can be deserialized and observed inside the chamber, blocking gadget-chain exploitation outside the sandbox.
Validates or rejects untrusted serialized data before deserialization occurs.
Identifies and blocks malicious code introduced through deserialization of untrusted data at system boundaries.
Integrity verification of serialized information can detect tampering before deserialization occurs.
Provenance of associated data allows detection of untrusted sources before deserialization or processing occurs.