CVE-2024-24957 AutomationDirect CVE debrief

Who should care

Industrial control system operators, OT security teams, manufacturing security engineers, automation engineers, and critical infrastructure defenders using AutomationDirect Productivity series PLCs should prioritize assessment and patching.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the Programming Software Connection FileSystem API functionality of AutomationDirect Productivity PLCs. Specially crafted network packets can trigger a null-byte write condition leading to heap-based memory corruption. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely over the network. Successful exploitation impacts availability (HIGH) and integrity (LOW) of the affected control system. The vulnerability affects 12 product configurations across six CPU models in the Productivity 1000, 2000, and 3000 series with specific firmware and software versions.

Defensive priority

HIGH

Recommended defensive actions

• Update Productivity Suite programming software to version 4.2.0.x or higher
• Update Productivity PLC firmware to the latest available version
• Physically disconnect affected PLCs from external networks including internet and LANs if patching is not immediately feasible
• Implement network segmentation to isolate PLCs from other organizational systems
• Configure firewall rules or network access control (NAC) policies to restrict traffic to affected PLCs
• Conduct thorough network security analysis to determine appropriate security level for automation control systems
• Review AutomationDirect security considerations documentation for additional hardening guidance

Evidence notes

CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-144-01 documents this vulnerability in AutomationDirect Productivity PLCs. The null-byte write occurs in the Programming Software Connection FileSystem API functionality. Affected products include Productivity 3000 (P3-550E, P3-550, P3-530), Productivity 2000 (P2-550), and Productivity 1000 (P1-550, P1-540) series CPUs with specific firmware and software versions. The CVSS 3.1 vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H indicates network attack vector with no privileges required, resulting in high availability impact and low integrity impact.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.