CVE-2024-41146 in Controller 6000
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
Use of Multiple Resources with Duplicate Identifier (CWE-694) in the Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 Platforms could allow an attacker with physical access to HBUS communication cabling to perform a Denial-of-Service attack against HBUS connected devices, require a device reboot to resolve.
This issue affects: Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 firmware versions 9.10 prior to vCR9.10.241108a (distributed in 9.10.2149 (MR4)), 9.00 prior to vCR9.00.241108a (distributed in 9.00.2374 (MR5)), 8.90 prior to vCR8.90.241107a (distributed in 8.90.2356 (MR6)), all versions of 8.80 and prior.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-41146 represents a critical flaw in the Controller 6000 and Controller 7000 platforms that manifests as a use of multiple resources with duplicate identifier issue classified under CWE-694. This weakness specifically impacts the HBUS communication protocol infrastructure where duplicate identifiers are being utilized across multiple resources, creating a fundamental architectural flaw that can be exploited by adversaries with physical access to the communication cabling. The vulnerability exists within the firmware implementations of these industrial control systems, affecting multiple version streams including 9.10, 9.00, 8.90, and all prior versions up to 8.80. The affected systems operate within industrial environments where physical security is paramount, yet this flaw demonstrates how physical access can translate into significant operational disruptions through network-level attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper resource management within the HBUS communication framework where multiple devices or components are assigned identical identifiers, creating a scenario where the system cannot properly distinguish between different communication endpoints. This duplicate identifier issue occurs at the protocol level where HBUS connected devices rely on unique addressing mechanisms to maintain communication integrity. When duplicate identifiers exist within the system, the controller's resource allocation logic becomes confused, leading to potential misrouting of communications or complete communication failures. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker with physical access to the HBUS cabling can manipulate or introduce duplicate identifiers, causing the system to treat multiple distinct devices as a single entity, thereby disrupting normal operational procedures. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system and T1499.004 for network denial of service, as it enables both information extraction and service disruption through physical access points.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the entire industrial control infrastructure that relies on HBUS communication for device coordination and monitoring. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can initiate a denial-of-service condition that affects all HBUS connected devices, forcing operators to perform manual device reboots to restore functionality. This requirement for physical intervention creates significant operational challenges in industrial environments where continuous operation is critical and manual intervention may not be feasible or safe. The vulnerability affects systems that are typically deployed in critical infrastructure environments such as manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, and process control systems where the impact of service disruption can cascade through entire operational networks. The need for device reboot resolution indicates that the system lacks proper error handling and recovery mechanisms to gracefully manage duplicate identifier scenarios, which represents a fundamental flaw in the system's resilience architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-41146 should prioritize firmware updates to the affected versions, specifically targeting the patched releases vCR9.10.241108a, vCR9.00.241108a, and vCR8.90.241107a, along with ensuring that all systems running version 8.80 and prior receive immediate upgrades. Organizations should implement enhanced physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to HBUS communication cabling, as the vulnerability requires physical access to be exploited. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate duplicate identifier exploitation attempts. The system should also be configured to automatically detect and alert on duplicate identifier scenarios, providing early warning capabilities before full denial-of-service conditions occur. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify potential resource allocation issues in similar industrial control systems, with particular attention to CWE-694 patterns that involve multiple resource management failures. Security monitoring should include checks for proper identifier uniqueness within HBUS communication domains, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor resource management flaws can create significant operational security risks in industrial environments.