CVE-2024-23906 in Controller 6000
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (CWE-79) in the Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 diagnostic webpage allows an attacker to modify Controller configuration during an authenticated Operator's session.
This issue affects: Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 9.10 prior to vCR9.10.240816a (distributed in 9.10.1530 (MR2)), 9.00 prior to vCR9.00.240816a (distributed in 9.00.2168 (MR4)), 8.90 prior to vCR8.90.240816a (distributed in 8.90.2155 (MR5)), 8.80 prior to vCR8.80.240816b (distributed in 8.80.1938 (MR6)), all versions of 8.70 and prior.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-23906 represents a critical web application security flaw classified under CWE-79, which addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness specifically impacts the diagnostic webpages of Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 devices, creating a significant attack surface that allows malicious actors to manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability manifests when an authenticated operator session exists, meaning that an attacker who has already gained legitimate access to the system can exploit this flaw to modify critical controller settings without additional authentication requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web interface components of these industrial control systems. When the diagnostic webpages process user input, they fail to properly escape or filter potentially malicious data that could contain script code or configuration commands. This improper handling allows an attacker to inject crafted input that gets executed within the context of the authenticated session, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authorization mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web page content without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it enables attackers to fundamentally alter the behavior and configuration of industrial control systems. An attacker could potentially change operational parameters, disable safety mechanisms, modify control algorithms, or redirect system functionality in ways that could compromise process integrity and safety. This risk is particularly concerning for industrial environments where these controllers manage critical infrastructure operations, as unauthorized configuration changes could lead to production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software across different major releases, indicating this is a persistent issue that has not been adequately addressed in previous patches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security patches that address the input sanitization issues in the web interface components. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit access to these diagnostic interfaces to authorized personnel only, and establish strict monitoring of administrative sessions and configuration changes. Security controls should include regular vulnerability assessments of web applications, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of principle of least privilege for operator accounts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under web application attacks and privilege escalation techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the specific input validation weakness and broader security posture improvements. Additionally, regular security awareness training for operators and system administrators is essential to prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to unauthorized access to these privileged interfaces.