CVE-2024-6684 in inohom Nova Panel N7
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2024
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability in GST Electronics inohom Nova Panel N7 allows Authentication Bypass.
This issue affects inohom Nova Panel N7: through 1.9.9.6. NOTE: The vendor was contacted and it was learned that the product is not supported.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2026
The CVE-2024-6684 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the GST Electronics inohom Nova Panel N7 security device, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-284 Access Control Flaw. This vulnerability exists within the device's authentication mechanism and allows unauthorized access through alternative pathways or channels that circumvent the standard authentication process. The affected version range spans from the initial release through 1.9.9.6, indicating this weakness has persisted across multiple iterations of the product's firmware. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel mechanism, which represents a fundamental flaw in the security architecture where legitimate authentication controls can be bypassed through unintended access routes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control validation within the Nova Panel N7's authentication framework. When users attempt to access the device's administrative functions or sensitive configuration areas, the system should enforce proper authentication checks before granting access. However, the flaw allows attackers to potentially access the device through alternative communication channels or pathways that do not undergo the same authentication scrutiny. This could involve exploiting weak session management, missing input validation, or insufficient access control checks that permit unauthorized users to gain administrative privileges without proper credentials. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor or alternative access point that bypasses the primary authentication mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the core security model of the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6684 is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on the inohom Nova Panel N7 for security infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative access to the device, potentially leading to complete compromise of the security system it protects. This includes the ability to modify security settings, disable alarms, change user permissions, and access sensitive configuration data that could reveal network topology or security policies. The device's role as a central security panel means that unauthorized access could provide attackers with a foothold for further network infiltration, potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the protected environment. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in versions up to 1.9.9.6 suggests that organizations with older firmware installations face heightened risk, as the manufacturer has not provided updates for this product line.
The security implications extend beyond immediate device compromise to encompass broader network security concerns that align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing. The authentication bypass allows threat actors to establish persistent access using legitimate administrative credentials, making detection more difficult and enabling long-term network infiltration. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such compromises, as well as monitoring for unusual access patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. The fact that the vendor has indicated the product is no longer supported creates additional challenges for remediation, as organizations cannot rely on official patches or updates to address the vulnerability. This situation highlights the importance of maintaining support lifecycle management and the risks associated with deploying end-of-life security devices in critical infrastructure environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6684 should focus on immediate operational controls given the lack of vendor support for the affected product. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the device to authorized IP addresses only, and consider isolating the device on a separate network segment. Physical security measures become crucial, as the vulnerability may be exploitable through direct network access or even physical tampering. Regular monitoring of device logs for unauthorized access attempts and configuration changes should be implemented, along with network traffic analysis to detect anomalous behavior. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing the affected inohom Nova Panel N7 devices with supported alternatives that receive regular security updates and have active vendor support. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their overall security infrastructure to identify other potentially vulnerable devices that may be running unsupported firmware versions, as the presence of one such vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in the organization's security posture.