CVE-2024-2425 in PowerFlex 527
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
A denial-of-service vulnerability exists in the Rockwell Automation PowerFlex® 527 due to improper input validation in the device. If exploited, the web server will crash and need a manual restart to recover it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2425 represents a critical denial-of-service condition affecting Rockwell Automation PowerFlex® 527 variable frequency drives. This industrial control device operates within critical infrastructure environments where reliability and continuous operation are paramount. The flaw manifests in the device's web server implementation where insufficient input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize or validate incoming data requests. The PowerFlex 527 serves as a crucial component in industrial automation systems, controlling motor drives and process variables in manufacturing environments. When malicious or malformed input reaches the web server component, it triggers an unhandled exception that results in complete service disruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's HTTP server functionality, which provides remote access for configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics. This exposure creates a significant risk for industrial operations where unexpected system downtime can lead to production losses, safety hazards, or regulatory compliance issues. The affected device operates in environments where network connectivity is essential for operational oversight and maintenance activities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper input validation procedures within the web server implementation. When the PowerFlex 527 receives HTTP requests containing malformed or unexpected data patterns, the system fails to properly handle these inputs through defensive programming practices. The device's web server lacks robust sanitization routines that would normally filter or reject suspicious input before processing. This weakness creates an execution path where unvalidated data can directly influence the server's internal state, leading to a crash condition that terminates the web service. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which encompasses various scenarios where input data is not adequately validated before being processed. The specific nature of the flaw suggests that the device's web server implementation does not employ proper bounds checking or data type validation mechanisms that would normally prevent such conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that are particularly concerning in industrial control systems where deterministic behavior and predictable operation are essential for safety and reliability.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-2425 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential safety and productivity consequences within industrial environments. When the web server crashes, operators lose remote access to critical device configuration and monitoring capabilities, forcing reliance on local interfaces or physical presence for system management. This limitation becomes particularly problematic in large industrial facilities where multiple PowerFlex 527 units may be distributed across different locations, requiring manual intervention for each affected device. The need for manual restart procedures creates operational bottlenecks and increases maintenance overhead during critical production periods. In environments governed by industrial safety standards such as IEC 61508 or ISA-95, this vulnerability could represent a compliance risk as it introduces potential points of system failure that could compromise operational integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, meaning unauthorized actors could potentially disrupt operations from external networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, which specifically addresses attacks targeting device availability through service disruption methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and industrial cybersecurity teams. The most effective immediate response involves applying vendor-provided firmware updates that address the input validation flaws in the web server implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation measures to limit access to the affected devices, restricting web server access to authorized personnel only through secure network perimeters. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against the vulnerable web server. Device administrators should consider disabling the web server functionality when it is not actively required for configuration purposes, reducing the attack surface exposure. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include validation of input handling mechanisms in all network-accessible components. Organizations implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework should treat this vulnerability as a critical risk requiring immediate remediation and continuous monitoring. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of industrial cybersecurity practices such as those outlined in the ICS-CERT advisories and the SANS Industrial Control Systems Security guidelines. Long-term security posture improvement requires comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular assessment of industrial control system components for similar input validation weaknesses.