CVE-2022-31219 is a vulnerability identified in ABB's Drive Composer entry software, specifically affecting version 2.0 and potentially other unspecified versions. The core issue is classified under CWE-59, which involves improper link resolution before file access, commonly referred to as 'link following.' This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker to exploit the Drive Composer installer’s 'repair' operation to create and write files anywhere on the file system with SYSTEM-level privileges, provided the targeted file does not already exist. The 'repair' operation can be invoked by a user with minimal permissions, which significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation. The vulnerability arises because the software does not properly validate or resolve symbolic links or junction points before writing files during the repair process. Consequently, an attacker can craft a symbolic link pointing to a sensitive system file or location, causing the software to overwrite or create files with arbitrary content at locations that should be protected. This can lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized file creation, or modification of critical system files, potentially compromising system integrity and security. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and the SYSTEM-level privileges granted to the process during repair make it a significant risk. The lack of a patch link suggests that remediation may require vendor intervention or workaround implementation. The vulnerability affects industrial control system (ICS) software used for configuring and managing ABB drives, which are commonly deployed in manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-31219 can be substantial, particularly for those operating in industrial sectors such as manufacturing, energy production, utilities, and critical infrastructure where ABB Drive Composer entry is deployed. Exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM level, enabling unauthorized modification or creation of files critical to system operation and security. This could lead to disruption of industrial processes, unauthorized control over drive configurations, or sabotage of operational technology (OT) environments. Given the integration of ABB drives in automation and control systems, successful exploitation could affect availability and integrity of industrial operations, potentially causing downtime, safety hazards, or financial losses. Confidentiality impact is moderate but could increase if attackers use the elevated privileges to access sensitive configuration data or credentials stored on the system. The vulnerability also raises compliance concerns under European cybersecurity regulations such as NIS2, especially for operators of essential services. Although no active exploitation is reported, the ease of exploitation by low-privileged users and the high level of access gained post-exploitation make this vulnerability a significant threat to operational continuity and safety in European industrial environments.

1. Restrict access to the Drive Composer entry software and its installer to trusted administrators only, preventing low-privileged users from performing repair operations. 2. Implement strict file system permissions and monitoring on directories where the Drive Composer installer writes files to detect and prevent unauthorized symbolic link creation or manipulation. 3. Use application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to monitor and block unauthorized execution of the installer’s repair operation. 4. Employ network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems running ABB Drive Composer from general IT networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement by attackers with low privileges. 5. Regularly audit and monitor system logs for unusual file creation or modification activities, especially those involving symbolic links or files created by the Drive Composer installer. 6. Engage with ABB support to obtain any available patches or official guidance, and apply updates promptly once available. 7. Consider implementing host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) tailored for OT environments to detect exploitation attempts. 8. Educate users with access to affected systems about the risks of running repair operations without proper authorization and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.