P3-550E: Active Debug Code
CVE-2024-21785 is a critical-severity active debug code vulnerability in P3-550E from AutomationDirect, 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. Affected P3-550E versions: 1.2.10.9. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.51% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 75% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of P3-550E you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on community.automationdirect.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutomationDirect | P3-550E | 1.2.10.9 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P3-550e Firmware | 1.2.10.9; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P3-550 Firmware | 1.2.10.9; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P3-530 Firmware | 1.2.10.9; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P2-550 Firmware | 1.2.10.10; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P1-550 Firmware | 1.2.10.10; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
| Automationdirect | P1-540 Firmware | 1.2.10.10; 4.1.1.10 | Not stated |
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 CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A leftover debug code vulnerability exists in the Telnet Diagnostic Interface functionality of AutomationDirect P3-550E 1.2.10.9. A specially crafted series of network requests can lead to unauthorized access. An attacker can send a sequence of requests to trigger this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Active Debug Code
The product is released with debugging code still enabled or active.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Remove debug code before deploying the application.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1942Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1942Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in P3-550E
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent Active Debug Code vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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