CVE-2024-45481 in B&R APROL
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2025
An Incomplete Filtering of Special Elements vulnerability in scripts using the SSH server on B&R APROL <4.4-00P5 may allow an authenticated local attacker to authenticate as another legitimate user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45481 represents a critical security flaw in the B&R APROL software version 4.3-00P5 and earlier, affecting systems that utilize SSH server functionality for remote access and management. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the authentication processing logic, specifically in how the system handles special characters and sequences during user credential verification. The vulnerability falls under the category of incomplete filtering of special elements, which is categorized as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This weakness occurs when a system fails to properly sanitize or validate input data, allowing maliciously crafted inputs to bypass intended security controls and potentially manipulate system behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to exploit the flawed input filtering mechanism within the SSH server component of B&R APROL. When legitimate users provide credentials or commands containing specially crafted special elements, the system does not adequately filter these inputs before processing them in the authentication context. This incomplete filtering enables the attacker to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially impersonate other legitimate users within the system. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the SSH server is enabled and configured for user authentication, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the fundamental integrity of the authentication system within B&R APROL environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain access to sensitive operational data, modify system configurations, or execute commands with elevated privileges that belong to other legitimate users. This represents a significant threat to industrial control systems where B&R APROL is commonly deployed, as these systems often manage critical infrastructure components where unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or data compromise. The local authentication requirement means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but the privilege escalation potential makes this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in environments where system access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-45481 should prioritize immediate software updates to B&R APROL version 4.4-00P5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the incomplete filtering issue. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including mandatory access controls, enhanced monitoring of authentication events, and regular security audits of SSH configurations. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in security-critical components, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts of this type of vulnerability.