CVE-2022-29829 is a vulnerability identified in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's GX Works3 software suite, specifically affecting versions 1.000A through 1.090U of GX Works3, GT Designer3 (GOT2000) versions 1.122C to 1.290C, and Motion Control Setting software versions 1.035M to 1.042U. The core issue is the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key (CWE-321) within these products. Hard-coded keys are embedded directly into the software code, making them accessible to attackers who can extract them through reverse engineering or other analysis techniques. This vulnerability allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to leverage the hard-coded key to decrypt or access sensitive information, including program and project files managed by these software tools. Consequently, attackers can view proprietary or confidential automation programs and potentially execute unauthorized commands or programs on the affected systems. Since these software products are used for programming and configuring industrial control systems (ICS) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), exploitation could lead to unauthorized manipulation of industrial processes. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. While no public exploits have been reported in the wild, the presence of a hard-coded cryptographic key inherently weakens the security posture of the affected software and exposes critical industrial environments to potential compromise. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting further elevates the risk for organizations relying on these versions.

For European organizations, particularly those in manufacturing, energy, utilities, and critical infrastructure sectors that utilize Mitsubishi Electric's industrial automation products, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Unauthorized disclosure of program and project files can lead to intellectual property theft, revealing proprietary automation logic and operational details. More critically, unauthorized execution of programs could disrupt industrial processes, potentially causing production downtime, safety incidents, or damage to physical equipment. The ability for remote, unauthenticated attackers to exploit this vulnerability increases the attack surface, especially if these systems are accessible from less secure network segments or exposed to the internet. Given the strategic importance of industrial automation in Europe's economy and critical infrastructure, exploitation could have cascading effects on supply chains and essential services. Additionally, regulatory compliance frameworks such as NIS2 and GDPR may impose penalties if such vulnerabilities lead to data breaches or operational disruptions.

1. Immediate inventory and identification of all Mitsubishi Electric GX Works3, GT Designer3, and Motion Control Setting software versions in use to determine exposure. 2. Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks, especially the internet, to reduce remote exploitation risk. 3. Implement strict network segmentation and access controls limiting communication to and from industrial control systems. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual or unauthorized access attempts targeting these software components. 5. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection on engineering workstations to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious programs. 6. Engage with Mitsubishi Electric for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability; if unavailable, consider upgrading to unaffected versions once released. 7. Conduct regular backups of project and program files and maintain offline copies to enable recovery in case of compromise. 8. Train personnel on secure handling of engineering software and awareness of this vulnerability. 9. Utilize cryptographic best practices by replacing or supplementing hard-coded keys with dynamic, securely managed keys where possible in custom configurations. 10. Collaborate with industrial cybersecurity specialists to perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on these products.