External risk intelligence

Omron PLC Lock Vulnerability Allows Unauthorized Access.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2019-18269

Omron CS and CJ series PLCs have a vulnerability allowing unrestricted external access. This could permit attackers to gain unauthorized control, potentially disrupting industrial operations and impacting data integrity. The business risk includes potential operational downtime and compromise of critical industrial pro

2Halo Surface Signal

Omron Plc Cj Firmware

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2019-18269

This vulnerability affects industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs). While these devices are network-accessible, they are typically deployed within isolated industrial control system environments and are not intended for direct exposure to the public internet.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Omron CS and CJ series programmable logic controllers (PLCs) contain a vulnerability related to external access controls. This flaw could permit unauthorized actions on the affected systems. The potential business impact includes disruptions to operational technology (OT) environments, data integrity concerns, and potential interference with industrial processes.

  • Vulnerable Omron PLCs
  • Unrestricted external access
  • Operational disruptions

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass security features in Omron PLCs. An attacker could exploit this to gain unauthorized access and potentially modify critical operational logic. This could disrupt industrial processes and lead to significant business risk.

  • Exposed devices accessible via network.
  • Attacker gains unauthorized access.
  • Attacker triggers lock vulnerability.
  • Attacker controls device logic.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability affects Omron's CS and CJ series programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It allows for unrestricted external access to the device's lock mechanism. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized modification of PLC configurations, potentially disrupting industrial operations.

  • Attackers with basic skills could exploit it.
  • No specific access is required for exploitation.
  • Significant business risk and operational disruption.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability impacts Omron programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in industrial environments. It allows for unrestricted external access, posing a significant risk to operational control and data integrity. Organizations utilizing these devices should take immediate steps to identify and mitigate potential exposure.

  • Find affected assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What are Omron CS and CJ series PLCs used for?

Omron CS and CJ series PLCs, or programmable logic controllers, are industrial devices used to automate and control manufacturing processes. They are a key component in operational technology (OT) environments, managing machinery and production lines.

What type of weakness does CVE-2019-18269 represent?

CVE-2019-18269 is classified as an unrestricted externally accessible lock vulnerability (CWE-412). This means that without proper restrictions, external access could allow an attacker to manipulate the device's lock mechanism, potentially bypassing security features.

What preconditions are needed for an attacker to exploit this PLC vulnerability?

The vulnerability allows for unrestricted external access, meaning an attacker does not need special privileges or prior access to the device's network. The primary precondition is the network accessibility of the affected Omron PLC.

Why should I care about CVE-2019-18269 if my PLCs are internal?

While Halo Surface Signal indicates this vulnerability is unlikely to be exposed directly to the public internet, you should still care if your internal network has connections to or from less trusted segments. Disruptions to industrial processes can significantly impact business operations and data integrity.

What is the first step to respond to this Omron PLC vulnerability?

The first practical step is to identify all assets running Omron CS or CJ series PLC firmware within your environment. Once identified, focus on reducing their exposure and isolating any risk associated with them.

References