CVE-2024-24946 – A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in A... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-24946?

CVE-2024-24946 has a CVSS score of 8.2 (HIGH). A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in AutomationDirect P3-550E programming software allows unauthenticated attackers to send specially crafted network packets that can cause denial of service through heap corruption. This affects systems running version 1.2.10.9 of the P3-550E firmware. Industrial control systems using this vulnerable software are at risk.

📋 TL;DR

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in AutomationDirect P3-550E programming software allows unauthenticated attackers to send specially crafted network packets that can cause denial of service through heap corruption. This affects systems running version 1.2.10.9 of the P3-550E firmware. Industrial control systems using this vulnerable software are at risk.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

AutomationDirect P3-550E

Versions: Version 1.2.10.9

Operating Systems: Firmware-based (embedded system)

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects the Programming Software Connection CurrDir functionality specifically. The vulnerability is in the firmware itself, not dependent on specific configurations.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system crash leading to denial of service, potential remote code execution if heap corruption can be weaponized, and disruption of industrial processes.

🟠

Likely Case

Denial of service causing the P3-550E device to crash or become unresponsive, disrupting connected industrial operations.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if network segmentation prevents external access, but internal threats could still cause service disruption.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Unauthenticated network exploitation allows remote attackers to trigger the vulnerability without any credentials.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internally, the unauthenticated nature means any network-connected attacker can exploit it.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW - The vulnerability description indicates straightforward exploitation via network packets.

The vulnerability is documented with specific offset details (0xb686c) and involves attacker-controlled memset length values, suggesting reliable exploitation methods exist.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Unknown

Vendor Advisory: Not provided in references

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Contact AutomationDirect for firmware updates or patches. 2. If available, download the patched firmware version. 3. Follow vendor instructions to update the P3-550E device firmware. 4. Verify the update was successful and test functionality.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate P3-550E devices from untrusted networks to prevent external exploitation.

Firewall Rules

all

Block network traffic to the Programming Software Connection functionality on affected devices.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network access controls to limit which systems can communicate with P3-550E devices.
Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns or attempts to send crafted packets to the CurrDir functionality.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check the firmware version on the P3-550E device. If it shows version 1.2.10.9, the system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Use the P3-550E programming software or device interface to check firmware version (specific command depends on vendor tools).

Verify Fix Applied:

After applying any vendor patch, verify the firmware version has changed from 1.2.10.9 to a newer, patched version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Device crash logs
Unexpected restart events
Heap corruption error messages in system logs

Network Indicators:

Unusual network packets to port used by Programming Software Connection
Traffic patterns matching exploitation attempts

SIEM Query:

source="network_firewall" AND dest_ip="P3-550E_IP" AND (payload_contains="CurrDir" OR packet_size>normal_threshold)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-24946

CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: May 28, 2024

Last Updated: February 12, 2025

🔗 References

https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1937 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1937 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1937 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1937 Exploit,Third Party Advisory

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