CVE-2021-22678

Code execution via malformed project file parsing

Published Apr 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in Horner Automation Cscape before 9.90 SP4 allows local users to execute code via a crafted project file. The project-file parser accepts malformed user-controlled data without sufficient validation, causing memory corruption in the Cscape process. Exploitation requires a user to open an attacker-supplied project file, after which injected code runs with the privileges of the current process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.03%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Horner Automation Cscape before 9.90 SP4 allows local users to execute code via a crafted project file. The project-file parser accepts malformed user-controlled data without sufficient validation, causing memory corruption in the Cscape process. Exploitation requires a user to open an attacker-supplied project file, after which injected code runs with the privileges of the current process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-22678
Published
Apr 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Horner Automation
Product
Cscape
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=All versions prior to 9.90 SP4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Horner Automation · Cscapeversion=All versions prior to 9.90 SP4

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA ICS-CERTCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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