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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-39888 Siemens CVE debrief

CVE-2024-39888 is a HIGH severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Siemens Mendix Encryption Module, published July 9, 2024. The vulnerability stems from a hard-coded default EncryptionKey constant used when no individual encryption key is specified in a project. This cryptographic weakness allows attackers to decrypt any encrypted project data protected by the default key, effectively rendering the encryption meaningless for affected deployments. The issue is network-exploitable with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. Siemens has released version 10.0.2 to address this vulnerability. Organizations using Mendix Encryption should verify their configurations and apply the vendor fix immediately.

Vendor
Siemens
Product
Mendix Encryption
CVSS
HIGH 7.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-07-09
Original CVE updated
2024-07-09
Advisory published
2024-07-09
Advisory updated
2024-07-09

Who should care

Organizations operating Siemens Mendix applications with encrypted data stores, particularly industrial control system (ICS/OT) environments where Mendix is deployed for operational applications. Security teams responsible for cryptographic key management and application security in low-code development platforms.

Technical summary

The Mendix Encryption Module contained a hard-coded default value for the EncryptionKey constant. When projects failed to specify an individual encryption key, this default was automatically applied. Since the default key is known/derivable, any attacker with access to encrypted project data can decrypt it. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, with CVSS 3.1 score 7.5 (HIGH). Remediation requires updating to version 10.0.2 or later and ensuring all projects use unique, non-default encryption keys.

Defensive priority

HIGH

Recommended defensive actions

  • Verify Mendix Encryption Module version and upgrade to V10.0.2 or later per vendor guidance
  • Audit all Mendix projects to confirm custom EncryptionKey values are configured and not using default values
  • Review encrypted data stores for potential unauthorized access given the compromised default key
  • Implement defense-in-depth controls for Mendix applications per CISA ICS recommended practices
  • Monitor for anomalous access patterns to encrypted Mendix project data

Evidence notes

Vulnerability confirmed through CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-193-08 and Siemens security advisory SSA-998949. The hard-coded default encryption key represents a critical cryptographic implementation flaw where the confidentiality impact is rated HIGH per CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-39888 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-39888

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

  • CVE-2024-39888 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39888

    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-24-193-08.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-998949.json

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-998949.html

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-998949.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/txt/ssa-998949.txt

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-193-08

    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

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.