CVE-2022-45794 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Omron CJ-series and CS-series CPU modules, which are programmable logic controllers (PLCs) widely used in industrial control systems (ICS). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-306, indicating a missing authentication for a critical function. Specifically, an attacker with network access to the affected PLCs can exploit a network protocol to read and write files on the PLC's internal memory and memory card without any authentication. This means that the attacker can potentially manipulate the PLC’s configuration, firmware, or operational data remotely. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it easier to exploit. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.6, reflecting the high impact on confidentiality (complete read/write access to internal memory) and the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no authentication required). The integrity and availability impacts are rated as none in the CVSS vector, but unauthorized file writes could indirectly affect system behavior. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that affected organizations must be vigilant and proactive in their defense. The vulnerability affects all versions of the CJ-series and CS-series CPU modules, which are critical components in many industrial automation environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those operating critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and transportation, where Omron PLCs are commonly deployed. Unauthorized access to PLC internal memory can lead to theft of sensitive operational data, intellectual property, or manipulation of control logic, potentially causing production disruptions or safety hazards. Although the CVSS vector indicates no direct integrity or availability impact, the ability to write files could allow attackers to alter PLC behavior, leading to process malfunctions or unsafe conditions. Given the strategic importance of industrial automation in Europe’s economy and critical infrastructure, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in operational downtime, financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. The lack of authentication requirement and network accessibility increases the likelihood of exploitation if network segmentation and access controls are insufficient. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks by advanced threat actors aiming to disrupt industrial operations or conduct espionage.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Network Segmentation: Isolate PLC networks from corporate and public networks using firewalls and VLANs to restrict access only to authorized systems. 2) Access Controls: Enforce strict network access controls and monitoring for any traffic directed at Omron CJ-series and CS-series PLCs. 3) Intrusion Detection: Deploy industrial intrusion detection systems (IDS) capable of recognizing anomalous protocol usage targeting these PLCs. 4) Vendor Coordination: Engage with Omron for official patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 5) Configuration Review: Audit PLC configurations to disable unnecessary network services or protocols that could be exploited. 6) Incident Response Planning: Prepare and test response plans specifically for ICS-related breaches involving PLC manipulation. 7) Network Monitoring: Continuously monitor network traffic for unusual read/write operations to PLC memory. 8) Physical Security: Ensure physical access to PLCs is restricted to prevent local exploitation. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on network architecture, monitoring, and vendor engagement tailored to the specific Omron PLC environment.