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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-6098 PTC CVE debrief

PTC Kepware ThingWorx Kepware Server is affected by a denial-of-service vulnerability in the ControlLogix protocol online tag generation feature. When this feature is enabled, a machine-in-the-middle attacker or a misconfigured device can send a crafted response that triggers unrestricted resource allocation, crashing the Kepware application. The vulnerability is rated CVSS 3.1 5.3 (Medium) with an attack vector of adjacent network, high attack complexity, and high availability impact. By default, the affected online tag generation functions are disabled, reducing exposure for installations using default configurations.

Vendor
PTC
Product
PTC Kepware ThingWorx Kepware Server: V6
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.3
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-08-15
Original CVE updated
2024-08-15
Advisory published
2024-08-15
Advisory updated
2024-08-15

Who should care

Industrial control system operators using PTC Kepware products for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC connectivity; manufacturing network security teams; OT security auditors assessing Kepware deployments

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the online tag generation functionality for ControlLogix protocol devices. When enabled, this feature accepts device responses during tag discovery without proper resource limits. An attacker with adjacent network access (or a misconfigured legitimate device) can send a malformed response causing unregulated memory or resource allocation, resulting in application crash. Attack complexity is high due to the need for specific protocol positioning and the feature being disabled by default. No confidentiality or integrity impact; availability impact is high.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Verify whether ControlLogix online tag generation is enabled in your Kepware deployment; disable if not required for operations
  • Apply defense-in-depth network segmentation to manufacturing networks with strict access controls
  • Follow the Kepware Secure Deployment Guide for proper product configuration
  • Review PTC support article CS423892 for environment-specific mitigation guidance (PTC account required)
  • Contact PTC Technical Support if additional assistance is needed

Evidence notes

CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-228-11 published 2024-08-15 identifies four affected product variants: PTC Kepware ThingWorx Kepware Server V6, PTC Kepware KEPServerEX V6, Software Toolbox TOP Server V6, and GE IGS V7.6x. The advisory confirms the vulnerability exists in the ControlLogix protocol online tag generation feature and requires either a machine-in-the-middle position or a misconfigured device to exploit.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-6098 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-6098

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

  • CVE-2024-6098 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-6098

    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-24-228-11.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-228-11

    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://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B

    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.