CVE-2024-5659 in ControlLogix
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2024
Rockwell Automation was made aware of a vulnerability that causes all affected controllers on the same network to result in a major nonrecoverable fault(MNRF/Assert). This vulnerability could be exploited by sending abnormal packets to the mDNS port. If exploited, the availability of the device would be compromised.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
This vulnerability affects Rockwell Automation controllers and represents a significant availability risk within industrial control systems. The flaw manifests when abnormal packets are sent to the multicast dns port, triggering a major nonrecoverable fault condition that essentially renders the affected devices inoperable. The vulnerability operates at the network level and specifically targets controllers that are part of the same network segment, creating a potential denial of service scenario that could impact entire industrial processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where continuous operation is critical for production processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the mDNS protocol implementation within Rockwell Automation controllers. When malformed or abnormal packets are received on the mDNS port, the controller's fault handling mechanism fails to properly process these inputs, resulting in a major nonrecoverable fault condition. This condition prevents the controller from recovering automatically and requires manual intervention to restore normal operation. The vulnerability essentially creates a condition where the controller's state machine transitions to an unrecoverable error state, which aligns with CWE-122 which addresses buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system instability and fault conditions. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked industrial environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire production lines and industrial processes. When multiple controllers on the same network segment are affected, the cascading failure effect can lead to widespread operational disruption across industrial facilities. The requirement for manual intervention to restore functionality creates significant downtime and operational risk, particularly in environments where controllers manage critical manufacturing processes, safety systems, or process control operations. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with network access to cause operational degradation that may result in production losses, safety hazards, or compliance violations. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks targeting industrial control systems and can be classified under the broader category of industrial control system attacks that target availability and operational integrity.
Organizations should implement immediate network segmentation strategies to isolate affected controllers from general network traffic, particularly by blocking mDNS port access from untrusted networks. Network access control measures should be deployed to restrict communication to only authorized sources and implement monitoring for abnormal packet patterns on the mDNS port. Device firmware updates from Rockwell Automation should be applied immediately to address the underlying implementation flaw, and organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected controllers within their industrial control system environments. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for mDNS-related anomalies can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust input validation and fault handling mechanisms in industrial control systems, aligning with security requirements specified in standards such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 that emphasize the importance of protecting industrial control system components from network-based attacks.