CVE-2024-11609 – A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-11609?

CVE-2024-11609 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in AutomationDirect C-More EA9 programming software allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when users open malicious EAP9 files or visit malicious pages. This affects industrial control system operators and engineers using this HMI programming software. Attackers can gain control of the programming workstation.

📋 TL;DR

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in AutomationDirect C-More EA9 programming software allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when users open malicious EAP9 files or visit malicious pages. This affects industrial control system operators and engineers using this HMI programming software. Attackers can gain control of the programming workstation.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

AutomationDirect C-More EA9

Versions: All versions prior to patch

Operating Systems: Windows

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects the programming software, not the runtime HMI panels. Requires user to open malicious EAP9 project file.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete compromise of the programming workstation leading to potential lateral movement into industrial control networks, manipulation of HMI logic, or disruption of industrial processes.

🟠

Likely Case

Compromise of the engineering workstation, theft of intellectual property (PLC/HMI programs), and potential credential harvesting for industrial systems.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to workstation compromise without network access to control systems, contained by network segmentation and least privilege.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW (requires user interaction with malicious content, typically not directly internet-exposed)

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM (requires internal user to open malicious file, common in engineering environments)

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires social engineering to deliver malicious file. No authentication bypass needed once file is opened.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Update to latest version from AutomationDirect

Vendor Advisory: https://certvde.com/en/bulletins/bulletins/2182-automationdirect-c-more-ea9-programming-software/

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Download latest C-More EA9 software from AutomationDirect website. 2. Install update over existing installation. 3. Verify version is updated.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict EAP9 file handling

all

Block or restrict opening of EAP9 files from untrusted sources

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
Segment engineering workstations from control network and implement strict file transfer policies

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check C-More EA9 software version against vendor advisory. If using unpatched version, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Open C-More EA9 software and check Help > About for version information

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify software version matches patched version from vendor advisory. Test with known safe EAP9 files.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected crashes of C-More EA9 software
Unusual process creation from C-More EA9
File access to suspicious EAP9 files

Network Indicators:

Unexpected outbound connections from engineering workstation
File transfers of EAP9 files from untrusted sources

SIEM Query:

Process creation where parent_process contains 'C-More' AND (process contains 'cmd.exe' OR process contains 'powershell.exe')

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-11609

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-121

EPSS Score: 2.62% exploit probability (85.3th percentile)

Published: January 30, 2025

Last Updated: August 12, 2025

🔗 References

https://certvde.com/en/bulletins/bulletins/2182-automationdirect-c-more-ea9-programming-software/ Third Party Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1673/ Third Party Advisory

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