CVE-2024-24962 AutomationDirect CVE debrief

Who should care

Organizations operating AutomationDirect Productivity series PLCs in manufacturing, industrial automation, and critical infrastructure environments. Security teams responsible for OT/ICS network protection, plant engineers, and system integrators deploying these controllers should prioritize assessment and remediation.

Technical summary

The vulnerability resides in the FileSelect functionality within the Programming Software Connection component of AutomationDirect Productivity PLCs. An unauthenticated attacker can send a specially crafted network packet to trigger a stack-based buffer overflow. The affected products include Productivity 3000 series (P3-550E, P3-550, P3-530), Productivity 2000 series (P2-550), and Productivity 1000 series (P1-550, P1-540) CPUs running firmware versions 1.2.10.9 or 1.2.10.10, with Productivity Suite software version 4.1.1.10. The network-accessible attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, resulting in a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (Critical).

Defensive priority

critical

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 where patching is not immediately feasible
• Implement network segmentation to isolate affected PLCs from other organizational systems
• Deploy firewall rules or network access control (NAC) policies to restrict traffic to affected PLCs
• Conduct thorough network security analysis to determine appropriate security controls for automation control system environments
• Review AutomationDirect security considerations documentation for additional hardening guidance

Evidence notes

Vulnerability disclosed via CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-24-144-01. Affects 12 specific product configurations across AutomationDirect Productivity 3000, 2000, and 1000 series CPUs. CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 reflects network attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, and high impact across CIA triad.

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.