Automation Runtime: Use of a Cryptographic Primitive with a Risky Implementation
CVE-2024-0323 is a critical-severity use of a cryptographic primitive with a risky implementation vulnerability in Automation Runtime from B&R Industrial Automation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 14.93 as the first without the flaw, so updating Automation Runtime to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.23% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Automation Runtime to 14.93 or a later version.
- Update automation_runtime to 14.93 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on br-automation.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&R Industrial Automation | Automation Runtime | 14.0 up to, but not including, 14.93 | 14.93 |
| Br-automation | automation_runtime | 14.0 up to, but not including, 14.93 | 14.93 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (ch.abb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
The FTP server used on the B&R Automation Runtime supports unsecure encryption mechanisms, such as SSLv3, TLSv1.0 and TLS1.1. An network-based attacker can exploit the flaws to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks or to decrypt communications between the affected product clients.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of a Cryptographic Primitive with a Risky Implementation
To fulfill the need for a cryptographic primitive, the product implements a cryptographic algorithm using a non-standard, unproven, or disallowed/non-compliant cryptographic implementation.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Require compliance with the strongest-available recommendations from trusted parties, and require that compliance must be kept up-to-date, since recommendations evolve over time. For example, US government systems require FIPS 140-3 certification, which supersedes FIPS 140-2.
- Ensure that the architecture/design uses the strongest-available primitives and algorithms from trusted parties. For example, US government systems require FIPS 140-3 certification, which supersedes FIPS 140-2.
- Do not develop custom or private cryptographic algorithms. They will likely be exposed to attacks that are well-understood by cryptographers. As with all cryptographic mechanisms, the source code should be available for analysis. If the algorithm may be compromised when attackers find out how it works, then it is especially weak.
More Use of a Cryptographic Primitive with a Risky Implementation vulnerabilities (CWE-1240)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Automation Runtime
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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