CVE-2024-24959 in Productivity 3000 P3-550E
Summary
by MITRE • 05/28/2024
Several out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities exist in the Programming Software Connection FileSystem API functionality of AutomationDirect P3-550E 1.2.10.9. Specially crafted network packets can lead to heap-based memory corruption. An attacker can send malicious packets to trigger these vulnerabilities.This CVE tracks the arbitrary null-byte write vulnerability located in firmware 1.2.10.9 of the P3-550E at offset `0xb6c18`.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24959 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the AutomationDirect P3-550E programmable logic controller firmware version 1.2.10.9. This issue resides within the Connection FileSystem API functionality, specifically manifesting as a heap-based memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through specially crafted network packets. The affected device operates in industrial control environments where network connectivity is essential for programming and configuration operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability is specifically tracked at offset 0xb6c18 within the firmware, indicating a precise memory location where the buffer overflow occurs during packet processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the filesystem API implementation. When the P3-550E receives network packets designed to trigger the arbitrary null-byte write condition, the system fails to properly bounds-check array indices or buffer sizes before writing data to memory locations. This flaw allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory structures including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program state information. The heap-based nature of the corruption suggests that the vulnerable code operates within dynamic memory allocation contexts, where the attacker can manipulate heap metadata or overwrite critical data structures to achieve arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write and CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, representing fundamental memory safety issues in embedded systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to compromise industrial control systems. In environments where the P3-550E serves as a critical component of manufacturing or process control infrastructure, unauthorized access could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, or data integrity breaches. The remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, enabling attacks from external networks or even through compromised internal systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target network-accessible industrial equipment to establish persistent access or execute malicious code. The combination of industrial control system exposure and memory corruption vulnerability creates a significant risk profile for organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure where these devices are commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24959 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from AutomationDirect once available, as this represents the most direct and effective solution to address the underlying memory safety issues. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected device to untrusted networks, including firewall rules that restrict access to specific ports and protocols used by the Connection FileSystem API. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious packet patterns or malformed requests targeting the device can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to known exploitation patterns for industrial control system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in industrial environments, as it demonstrates how even minor version differences can introduce critical security flaws. Additionally, conducting comprehensive network assessments to identify all instances of affected firmware versions and implementing regular security audits of industrial control systems can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in operational environments.