CHARX SEC-3000: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
CVE-2024-28134 is a high-severity cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability in CHARX SEC-3000 from Phoenix Contact, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected CHARX SEC-3000 versions: 1.5.1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of CHARX SEC-3000 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHOENIX CONTACT | CHARX SEC-3000 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| PHOENIX CONTACT | CHARX SEC-3050 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| PHOENIX CONTACT | CHARX SEC-3100 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| PHOENIX CONTACT | CHARX SEC-3150 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | charx_sec_3000 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | charx_sec_3100 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | charx_sec_3150 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | charx_sec_3050 | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | Charx Sec-3000 Firmware | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | Charx Sec-3050 Firmware | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | Charx Sec-3100 Firmware | 1.5.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Phoenixcontact | Charx Sec-3150 Firmware | 1.5.1 and earlier | 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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H. Scored by CNA (cert.vde.com).
Official description
An unauthenticated remote attacker can extract a session token with a MitM attack and gain web-based management access with the privileges of the currently logged in user due to cleartext transmission of sensitive information. No additional user interaction is required. The access is limited as only non-sensitive information can be obtained but the availability can be seriously affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before transmitting, encrypt the data using reliable, confidentiality-protecting cryptographic protocols.
- When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
- When designing hardware platforms, ensure that approved encryption algorithms (such as those recommended by NIST) protect paths from security critical data to trusted user applications.
More Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-319)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cert.vde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2024-019Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in CHARX SEC-3000
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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