CVE-2024-3746 in ScadaPro
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2024
The entire parent directory - C:\ScadaPro and its sub-directories and files are configured by default to allow user, including unprivileged users, to write or overwrite files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation and persistence vector within industrial control systems, specifically targeting SCADA software installations. The issue manifests as an overly permissive default file system configuration where the entire parent directory structure at C:\ScadaPro grants write access to all users, including unprivileged accounts. This misconfiguration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control, creating an environment where unauthorized users can modify or replace critical application components, configuration files, and system binaries without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of industrial control systems, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire operational technology infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from improper default permission settings during software installation, where the application fails to implement proper access control lists or discretionary access control mechanisms. This misconfiguration allows any user account on the system to perform write operations, create new files, modify existing files, or overwrite critical system components within the ScadaPro directory structure. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in the implementation of access control mechanisms, aligning with CWE-276 which addresses improper permissions for critical resources. This issue creates multiple attack vectors including privilege escalation through file replacement, persistent backdoor installation, and potential code execution through modified binaries or configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling sophisticated attack scenarios that could compromise industrial processes and safety systems. An attacker with basic user privileges could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious software, modify configuration parameters that affect system behavior, or create persistent access mechanisms within the industrial control environment. This represents a significant risk to operational technology security, as it allows attackers to compromise the integrity of critical infrastructure control systems without requiring administrative privileges or specialized attack tools. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could remain undetected for extended periods, potentially leading to system compromise, process disruption, or safety system failures.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate permission remediation through the implementation of proper access control lists that restrict write permissions to authorized administrative users only. System administrators must conduct comprehensive audits of the C:\ScadaPro directory structure and all subdirectories to ensure that only appropriate users maintain write access to critical system components. The recommended approach includes implementing mandatory access controls, establishing proper user privilege management, and configuring the application to enforce least privilege principles. Organizations should also implement continuous monitoring of file system changes within the affected directory structure and establish regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security hardening and configuration management practices in industrial environments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1546 for persistence through modification of system components. The security posture of industrial control systems can be significantly strengthened through proper access control implementation, regular security assessments, and adherence to cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems security.