1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 7.5
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
- Vendor: Festo
- Equipment: CPX-CEC-C1 and CPX-CMXX
- Vulnerability: Improper Privilege Management
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow unauthenticated, remote access to critical webpage functions which may cause a denial of service.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Festo reports that the following products are affected:
- Festo Firmware installed on Festo Hardware Control block CPX-CEC-C1: Versions 2.0.12 and prior
- Festo Firmware installed on Festo Hardware Control block CPX-CMXX: Versions 1.2.34 rev.404 and prior
- Festo Firmware installed on Festo Hardware Control block-SET CPX-CEC-C1: Versions 1.2.34 rev.404 and prior
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 IMPROPER PRIVILEGE MANAGEMENT CWE-269
Festo control block CPX-CEC-C1 and CPX-CMXX in multiple versions allow unauthenticated, remote access to critical webpage functions which may cause a denial of service.
CVE-2022-3079 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany
3.4 RESEARCHER
Rob Hulsebos and Daniel dos Santos of Forescout reported this vulnerability to Festo.
4. MITIGATIONS
Festo has identified the following specific remediations users can apply to reduce risk:
- Limit access to the webserver (TCP port 80) of the device to what is absolutely necessary.
- Currently, no fix is planned.
- Replace CPX-CEC-C1 with the follow-up product CPX-CEC-C1-V3.
- Replace CPX-CMXX with the follow-up product CPX-CEC-M1-V3.
For more information, see the associated Festo security advisory FSA-202207: Festo: CPX-CEC-C1 and CPX-CMXX, Missing Authentication for Critical Webpage Function – HTML and FSA-202207: Festo: CPX-CEC-C1 and CPX-CMXX, Missing Authentication for Critical Webpage Function – CSAF.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:
- Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
- Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
- When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:
- Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
- Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
- Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- September 30, 2025: Initial Republication of Festo FSA-202207
