CVE-2024-43684
📋 TL;DR
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Microchip TimeProvider 4100 allows attackers to trick authenticated users into performing unintended actions. Combined with Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), this could lead to complete system compromise. All TimeProvider 4100 devices running version 1.0 or later are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microchip TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover allowing attacker to modify device configuration, disrupt time synchronization services, and potentially use the device as a pivot point into the network.
Likely Case
Unauthorized configuration changes leading to service disruption, time synchronization failures affecting dependent systems, and potential credential theft via XSS.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and authentication controls prevent external access and user interaction with malicious content.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious page while authenticated) but uses common web attack techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Monitor Microchip security advisories for patch release. 2. Apply firmware update when available. 3. Verify patch installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate TimeProvider devices from untrusted networks and user workstations
CSRF Token Implementation
allImplement anti-CSRF tokens in web interface if custom development is possible
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls allowing only necessary NTP/PTP traffic
- Use separate administrative accounts with minimal privileges and monitor for unusual configuration changes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device firmware version via web interface or CLI. If version is 1.0 or higher, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check via web interface admin panel or consult device documentation for CLI version commandVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version after update is higher than vulnerable versions. Test CSRF protection by attempting to submit forms without proper tokens.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected configuration changes
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful login from unusual IP
- Web interface access from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to admin interface from non-admin workstations
- Unusual NTP/PTP traffic patterns
- Requests containing malicious scripts in parameters
SIEM Query:
source="timeprovider*" AND (event_type="config_change" OR http_method="POST" AND uri="/admin/*")