CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-51551NVD status: Analyzed

ASPECT-Enterprise: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

CVE-2024-51551 is a critical-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in ASPECT-Enterprise from ABB, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected ASPECT-Enterprise versions: 3.07.02 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 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of ASPECT-Enterprise you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on search.abb.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ABBASPECT-Enterprise3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNEXUS Series3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMATRIX Series3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBAspect-ent-2 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBAspect-ent-256 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBAspect-ent-96 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-2128 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-2128-a Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-2128-g Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-264 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-264-a Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-264-f Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-264-g Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-3-2128 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBAspect-ent-12 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-2128-f Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBNexus-3-264 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMatrix-11 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMatrix-216 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMatrix-232 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMatrix-264 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot stated
ABBMatrix-296 Firmware3.07.02 and earlierNot 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
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
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:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.09.3CriticalCNA (ch.abb.com)
CVSS 3.110.0CriticalCNA (ch.abb.com)
CVSS 3.110.0CriticalNVD

Official description

Default Credentail vulnerabilities in ASPECT on Linux allows access to the product using publicly available default credentials. Affected products: ABB ASPECT - Enterprise v3.07.02; NEXUS Series v3.07.02; MATRIX Series v3.07.02

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
  • For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
  • If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.

More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in ASPECT-Enterprise

All ASPECT-Enterprise vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities

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