CVE-2024-11999 in Harmony HMIST6
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2024
CWE-1104: Use of Unmaintained Third-Party Components vulnerability exists that could cause complete control of the device when an authenticated user installs malicious code into HMI product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The CVE-2024-11999 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw classified under CWE-1104, which specifically addresses the use of unmaintained third-party components within industrial systems. This vulnerability resides within Human Machine Interface (HMI) products where the device's security posture becomes completely compromised when an authenticated user installs malicious code. The fundamental issue stems from the reliance on third-party software libraries or components that are no longer receiving security updates, patches, or maintenance from their original developers. Such components often contain known vulnerabilities that remain unaddressed due to the lack of ongoing support, creating persistent security risks within the system architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for a privilege escalation scenario where authenticated users can leverage the outdated components to gain complete control over the affected device. This occurs because unmaintained third-party libraries typically lack proper security controls, input validation, and robust error handling mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious code execution. When these components are integrated into HMI systems, they create attack vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors who have already established legitimate access to the system. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in industrial environments where HMI systems control critical infrastructure operations and where unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or data breaches.
The operational consequences of CVE-2024-11999 extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as the complete device control capability enables attackers to manipulate industrial processes, modify operational parameters, or even cause physical damage to equipment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how legacy components can serve as entry points for more extensive attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments following industrial standards such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82, where maintaining secure component inventories and ensuring proper lifecycle management of third-party software is critical for system integrity. Organizations operating within these regulated environments face potential compliance violations when such unmaintained components exist within their security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-11999 require comprehensive inventory management of all third-party components within HMI systems, including regular vulnerability assessments and component lifecycle monitoring. Organizations should implement strict policies for third-party software procurement that include maintenance status verification and establish procedures for component replacement when unmaintained libraries are identified. Security controls should include network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromises, regular security audits of component dependencies, and implementation of continuous monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized installations of malicious code. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-1104 emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventories and implementing proper software supply chain security practices to prevent the introduction of vulnerable components into critical systems.