CVE-2024-24972 in Controller 6000
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2024
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input (CWE-120) in the Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 diagnostic web interface allows an authorised and authenticated operator to reboot the Controller, causing a Denial of Service. Gallagher recommend the diagnostic web page is not enabled (default is off) unless advised by Gallagher Technical support. This interface is intended only for diagnostic purposes.
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 • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-24972 represents a classic buffer overflow condition classified as CWE-120, which occurs when a program copies data into a buffer without properly verifying the size of the input data. This specific flaw exists within the diagnostic web interface of Gallagher's Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 security systems, creating a pathway for authenticated operators to potentially disrupt system operations. The affected devices span multiple software versions including 8.70 and earlier, 8.80 through 8.90, 9.00, and 9.10, with specific patch versions identified for each series. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows an authorized user to trigger a system reboot, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can compromise the availability of critical security infrastructure. This weakness demonstrates poor input validation practices where the system fails to check whether incoming data exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries before copying it into memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised legitimate users. When an authenticated operator triggers the reboot condition, the system becomes temporarily unavailable, potentially leaving security gaps during the reboot process. This denial of service scenario is particularly dangerous in security-critical environments where continuous system availability is paramount for maintaining physical security measures. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-120 places it within the broader category of buffer overflow flaws that have historically been exploited for more severe attacks including privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, though in this case the immediate impact is limited to system reboot operations. The affected controllers are typically deployed in high-security environments such as government facilities, corporate campuses, and critical infrastructure sites where system uptime is essential for maintaining security protocols.
Gallagher's recommended mitigation strategy focuses on disabling the diagnostic web interface by default, which aligns with security best practices outlined in the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. The company's guidance that this interface should only be enabled upon specific instruction from technical support reflects a recognition that diagnostic interfaces often contain functionality that could be misused if not properly controlled. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in web applications, particularly those serving administrative functions within security systems. The issue affects multiple generations of Gallagher controllers, indicating a systemic problem in the software architecture that requires patching across various software versions. The specific version identifiers provided suggest that this vulnerability was introduced in earlier codebases and persisted through multiple releases, highlighting the need for comprehensive code reviews and automated testing for buffer overflow conditions in security-critical applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated operator account, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. This scenario illustrates how internal security controls must be robust even when dealing with authorized users, as the principle of least privilege should extend to administrative interfaces. The diagnostic web interface, while intended for legitimate troubleshooting purposes, becomes a potential attack surface when it contains functionality that can trigger system-level operations like reboots without proper input sanitization. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack vector is internal rather than external. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring for administrative interfaces, particularly those that can trigger system-level operations. The patch versions mentioned in the advisory represent the vendor's response to address the underlying buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms.
Security organizations should view this vulnerability as an indicator of broader software quality issues within security infrastructure products, particularly regarding code review processes and automated testing protocols. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple software releases suggests that proper security testing may not have been adequately implemented during the development lifecycle. This flaw emphasizes the critical importance of implementing comprehensive input validation across all user-facing interfaces, especially those with administrative privileges. The vulnerability's existence in legacy versions like 8.70 and 8.80 demonstrates that older security systems may contain unaddressed weaknesses that can be exploited by operators with legitimate access rights. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their security infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems, particularly those that handle user input in privileged contexts. The recommended mitigation of disabling the interface by default represents a proactive security measure that reduces the attack surface while maintaining operational functionality through proper technical support channels.