CVE-2024-12677 in DTM Soft
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2024
Delta Electronics DTM Soft deserializes objects, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12677 resides within Delta Electronics DTM Soft, a software application designed for industrial automation and control systems. This critical security flaw stems from the application's improper handling of serialized object data during the deserialization process, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic deserialization vulnerability that has been widely exploited in various industrial control systems and enterprise applications. Deserialization vulnerabilities occur when applications process untrusted data without proper validation, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker sending specially crafted serialized data to the DTM Soft application. During the deserialization process, the application attempts to reconstruct objects from the serialized data without adequate input validation or sanitization. This flaw enables attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed with the privileges of the running application, typically resulting in full system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data," a category that has been consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity risks by organizations like OWASP and NIST. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that DTM Soft operates in industrial environments where system integrity and operational security are paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise within industrial control environments. Attackers could potentially gain persistent access to critical infrastructure systems, manipulate industrial processes, or exfiltrate sensitive operational data. In industrial settings, this vulnerability could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, and significant financial losses. The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely, allowing attackers to compromise systems from external networks without requiring physical access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as attackers might deliver malicious payloads through email attachments or web-based exploitation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where DTM Soft is used for process control, as it could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes or gain access to sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-12677 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor-provided patches and updates as soon as they become available, as these typically include fixes for the deserialization vulnerability. System administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general corporate networks, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened to prevent the processing of untrusted serialized data. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual deserialization activities and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control systems, implement proper access controls, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial cybersecurity incidents. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices and regular security testing in industrial automation software, particularly in environments where system availability and safety are paramount considerations.