CVE-2022-35871
Published: 25 July 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-35871 is a high-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in Inductiveautomation Ignition. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 2.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
This vulnerability affects Inductive Automation Ignition version 8.1.15 (build b2022030114) and resides in the authenticateAdSso method. It stems from missing authentication checks before permitting execution of Python code, enabling arbitrary code execution and corresponding to CWE-306. The issue was originally reported as ZDI-CAN-17206.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit the flaw remotely to run code in the SYSTEM context. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction, resulting in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Vendor guidance and the corresponding Zero Day Initiative advisory ZDI-22-1018 are available at the Inductive Automation support portal and ZDI site, addressing Pwn2Own 2022 findings for this and related issues.
EPSS for the CVE rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.8775 on 2025-01-22 before receding to the current value of 0.3893, indicating post-disclosure exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-38744
Vulnerability details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Inductive Automation Ignition 8.1.15 (b2022030114). Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the authenticateAdSso method. The issue results from the lack…
more
of authentication prior to allowing the execution of python code. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-17206.
- 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.
Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.
Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.
Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.
The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.
Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.
Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.