CVE-2024-43685
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-43685 is an improper authentication vulnerability in Microchip TimeProvider 4100 login modules that allows session hijacking through token fixation. Attackers can steal or manipulate session tokens to gain unauthorized access. This affects TimeProvider 4100 devices running versions from 1.0 up to (but not including) 2.4.7.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microchip TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the TimeProvider 4100 device, allowing attackers to manipulate time synchronization for connected networks, potentially disrupting critical infrastructure timing services.
Likely Case
Unauthorized administrative access to the device, enabling configuration changes, service disruption, or lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent external access to the device's management interface.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability allows session hijacking without authentication, making exploitation straightforward for attackers with network access to the device.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4.7
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download firmware version 2.4.7 from Microchip support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Upload and install the new firmware via the web interface or CLI. 4. Reboot the device. 5. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate TimeProvider 4100 management interface from untrusted networks
Access Control Lists
allRestrict access to the device's management IP/ports to authorized administrative hosts only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate the TimeProvider 4100 from all untrusted networks
- Deploy network-based intrusion detection/prevention systems to monitor for session hijacking attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the firmware version via web interface (System > About) or CLI command 'show version'. If version is between 1.0 and 2.4.6 inclusive, the device is vulnerable.Check Version:
show versionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify the firmware version shows 2.4.7 or higher. Test authentication sessions to ensure proper token handling.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful login from different IP
- Session tokens being reused from different source IPs
- Administrative actions from unexpected IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to TCP port 80/443 of TimeProvider device
- Session hijacking patterns in HTTP traffic
SIEM Query:
source_ip=TimeProvider_IP AND (event_type=login OR event_type=session) AND dest_ip!=expected_admin_ip