CVE-2024-12175 in Arena
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2024
Another “use after free” code execution vulnerability exists in the Rockwell Automation Arena® that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to use a resource that was already used. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12175 represents a critical use after free flaw in Rockwell Automation Arena software, a widely deployed industrial automation platform used extensively in manufacturing and control systems environments. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of freed memory, making it a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in various industrial control systems. The vulnerability manifests when the Arena software processes specially crafted DOE files, which are typically used for data exchange and system configuration within the Rockwell Automation ecosystem. The flaw occurs during the handling of memory resources where the application allocates memory for processing DOE file data structures, subsequently frees that memory, but later attempts to access the same memory location without proper validation, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical software security concerns due to the industrial control environment in which Arena operates. When exploited, the use after free condition allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running Arena process, potentially leading to complete system compromise within industrial environments. This represents a significant risk to operational technology infrastructure since the vulnerability requires only a legitimate user to open a malicious DOE file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted files through email attachments, USB drives, or network transfers. The attack vector leverages social engineering aspects where users are tricked into executing malicious files, but the underlying technical vulnerability creates a pathway for persistent compromise of industrial control systems. The exploitation process involves crafting a specific DOE file format that triggers the memory management error, which then allows the attacker to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the Arena application.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several tactics described in the attack technique framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases where adversaries gain a foothold through legitimate user actions. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability somewhat less automated compared to fully remote exploits, but the potential for lateral movement within industrial networks remains significant once initial compromise occurs. Organizations utilizing Rockwell Automation Arena must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader industrial cybersecurity posture, especially given the software's widespread deployment in critical infrastructure sectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of securing industrial control systems where legacy code and complex software interactions create numerous potential attack surfaces. Security teams should implement layered defenses including user education, file validation mechanisms, network segmentation, and regular software updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The use after free condition also highlights the importance of memory safety practices in industrial software development and the necessity of rigorous code review processes that specifically address memory management vulnerabilities in control system applications.