CVE-2022-41667 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) found in Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert software, specifically in version 3.3 Hotfix 1 and prior, as well as in Pro-face BLUE V3.3 Hotfix 1 and earlier. The vulnerability arises due to improper limitation of pathname inputs, allowing a local user with limited privileges to manipulate file paths to load a malicious DLL. This can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L) and low privileges (PR:L), but does not require user interaction (UI:N). The complexity of exploitation is high (AC:H), indicating that an attacker needs some skill or specific conditions to exploit the vulnerability. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), as malicious code execution could lead to data compromise, system manipulation, or denial of service. No public exploits are known to be in the wild as of the publication date (November 4, 2022). The vulnerability affects industrial control system (ICS) software used for operator terminal management, which is critical in industrial automation environments. Given the nature of the software, exploitation could disrupt industrial processes or cause safety risks if malicious code is executed on operator terminals controlling physical processes. The vulnerability is significant because it allows privilege escalation from a local user to potentially full control of the terminal software, which is often a trusted interface in operational technology (OT) environments. The lack of a publicly available patch link suggests that remediation may require coordination with Schneider Electric or applying vendor hotfixes or updates beyond V3.3 Hotfix 1. Organizations using these products should prioritize patching or applying mitigations to prevent local users from exploiting this path traversal to load malicious DLLs.

For European organizations, especially those operating in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and transportation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert is widely used in industrial automation and control systems, which are integral to European industrial operations. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution on operator terminals, potentially disrupting industrial processes, causing operational downtime, or even physical damage to equipment. This could result in financial losses, safety incidents, and regulatory non-compliance under frameworks such as NIS2 and GDPR if sensitive operational data is compromised. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds via other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within OT environments. Given the increasing focus on securing OT in Europe, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against critical infrastructure, making it a high-priority concern for European ICS operators.

1. Immediate application of vendor-provided patches or hotfixes beyond version 3.3 Hotfix 1 once available. Engage Schneider Electric support to obtain the latest secure versions or mitigation guidance. 2. Restrict local user access to operator terminals and related systems to only trusted personnel. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on machines running EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert. 3. Employ application whitelisting on operator terminals to prevent unauthorized DLLs from loading, limiting execution to only vendor-signed or approved binaries. 4. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for OT environments to detect anomalous DLL loading or suspicious file system activity indicative of path traversal exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular audits of user privileges and remove unnecessary local accounts or rights that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. 6. Segment OT networks to isolate operator terminals from broader IT networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement by attackers who gain initial access elsewhere. 7. Implement file integrity monitoring on critical directories to detect unauthorized changes or additions of DLL files. 8. Provide targeted security awareness training for personnel with local access to these systems to recognize and report suspicious activity. These mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, monitoring DLL execution, and applying vendor-specific updates promptly.