CVE-2024-9876 in ANC
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2025
: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID) vulnerability in ABB ANC, ABB ANC-L, ABB ANC-mini.This issue affects ANC: through 1.1.4; ANC-L: through 1.1.4; ANC-mini: through 1.1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
The CVE-2024-9876 vulnerability represents a critical modification of assumed-immutable data flaw affecting ABB's network communication devices including the ANC, ANC-L, and ANC-mini models. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing scenarios where systems assume certain data remains unchanged during operation. The affected devices operate within industrial control environments where maintaining data integrity is paramount for operational safety and security. The vulnerability exists in firmware versions through 1.1.4 across all three affected product lines, indicating a widespread exposure that could potentially compromise industrial communication networks. These devices are typically deployed in critical infrastructure settings where unauthorized modification of communication parameters could lead to significant operational disruptions or security breaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the device's communication protocols. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify data that the system assumes remains static or immutable during normal operation. This typically occurs through manipulation of network packets or direct device interaction that bypasses expected validation procedures. The flaw allows for unauthorized changes to configuration parameters, communication settings, or data transmission protocols that should remain stable throughout device operation. Network communication protocols in industrial environments often rely on assumed data consistency for proper operation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can disrupt the fundamental assumptions upon which industrial control systems operate.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9876 extends beyond simple data modification, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks within industrial control environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could manipulate communication settings to redirect data flows, alter transmission parameters, or introduce malicious data into the network. This could result in communication failures, data corruption, or even enable more advanced attacks such as those targeting the industrial control system's operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability's potential for enabling lateral movement within industrial networks makes it particularly concerning for organizations operating critical infrastructure where network segmentation and data integrity are essential security controls. The impact is amplified in environments where these devices serve as communication bridges between different network segments or where they handle sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9876 should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions that address the modification of assumed-immutable data vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to communication parameters. The vulnerability's nature suggests implementing additional validation checks and integrity verification mechanisms within the communication protocols. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial control environments to monitor for suspicious communication patterns. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should include verification of data integrity mechanisms and validation of assumed-immutable data protections. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit device access and prevent unauthorized modification of communication parameters. The ATT&CK framework's T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol tunneling may be relevant for monitoring potential exploitation attempts, while the T1566 technique for spearphishing with social engineering should be considered for potential initial access vectors that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.