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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-24959 AutomationDirect CVE debrief

A null-byte write vulnerability in the Programming Software Connection FileSystem API of AutomationDirect Productivity PLCs allows remote attackers to cause heap-based memory corruption via specially crafted network packets. The vulnerability affects multiple CPU models across the Productivity 3000, 2000, and 1000 series running specific firmware and software versions. With a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.2 (HIGH), this vulnerability poses significant risk to industrial control environments due to its network attack vector, low attack complexity, and high availability impact. The vulnerability was disclosed by CISA on May 23, 2024, and is not currently listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Vendor
AutomationDirect
Product
Productivity 3000 P3-550E CPU
CVSS
HIGH 8.2
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-05-23
Original CVE updated
2024-05-23
Advisory published
2024-05-23
Advisory updated
2024-05-23

Who should care

Organizations operating AutomationDirect Productivity series PLCs in manufacturing, process control, building automation, and other industrial environments. Security teams responsible for OT/ICS network protection, plant engineers, and system integrators deploying these controllers should prioritize assessment and remediation. Critical infrastructure operators with these devices in production environments face elevated risk due to potential availability impacts on physical processes.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the Programming Software Connection FileSystem API functionality. 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. Affected firmware versions include 1.2.10.9 (P3-550E, P3-550, P3-530) and 1.2.10.10 (P2-550, P1-550, P1-540). Affected software version is Productivity Suite 4.1.1.10. The vulnerability has high availability impact with low integrity impact and no confidentiality impact per CVSS 3.1 scoring.

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 PLCs from external networks including internet and LANs where feasible
  • Implement network segmentation to isolate PLCs from other organizational systems
  • Deploy firewall rules or network access control policies to restrict PLC traffic
  • Conduct thorough network security analysis to determine appropriate security controls for automation environments
  • Review AutomationDirect security considerations documentation for additional hardening guidance

Evidence notes

Vulnerability description and affected products confirmed via CISA CSAF advisory ICSA-24-144-01. CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H indicates network-accessible attack with no privileges required. Affected versions include firmware 1.2.10.9 and 1.2.10.10, and Productivity Suite software 4.1.1.10 across P3-550E, P3-550, P3-530, P2-550, P1-550, and P1-540 CPU models.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-24959 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-24959

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2024-24959 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-24959

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2024/icsa-24-144-01.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-144-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity_Best_Practices_for_Industrial_Control_Systems.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/sites/default/files/publications/emailscams0905.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/tips/ST04-014

    Reference

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.