CVE-2024-10210 Overview
CVE-2024-10210 is an External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability [CWE-73] affecting the B&R APROL Web Portal. The flaw exists in versions of B&R APROL prior to 4.4-005P. An authenticated network-based attacker can manipulate file path parameters processed by the web portal to access arbitrary data from the underlying file system. The vulnerability affects a process control system used in industrial automation environments, expanding its operational impact beyond typical enterprise IT boundaries.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can read sensitive files from the APROL server file system, exposing configuration data, credentials, and process control information that may enable follow-on attacks against industrial operations.
Affected Products
- B&R APROL Web Portal versions prior to 4.4-005P
- B&R APROL process control system deployments exposing the web portal
- Industrial automation environments integrating APROL for supervisory control
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-25 - CVE-2024-10210 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-10210
Vulnerability Analysis
The APROL Web Portal accepts file name or path input from authenticated users without sufficient validation. This condition is classified under [CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path]. When a request references a file, the application uses attacker-controlled portions of the request to construct the target path on the server file system.
Because the portal does not properly constrain the requested path to an intended directory, an authenticated attacker can direct the application to read files outside the expected scope. The result is unauthorized disclosure of file system data available to the web portal process. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability effects are limited to the exposed data.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied path or file name input inside the web portal request handling logic. The application trusts the supplied value when opening files, rather than resolving it against a fixed allowlist or canonicalizing the path and enforcing directory boundaries. This weakness matches [CWE-73] and is a common source of arbitrary file read conditions in web applications that expose file retrieval features.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the APROL Web Portal and valid low-privilege credentials. The attacker submits a crafted request that includes a manipulated file name or path parameter. The portal resolves that parameter and returns the contents of the referenced file. See the BR Automation Security Advisory for vendor-provided technical details. No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently documented, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-10210
Indicators of Compromise
- Web portal access logs containing file or path parameters with traversal sequences such as ../, absolute paths, or references to sensitive system files
- Successful HTTP responses returning non-standard content types or unusually large payloads from file retrieval endpoints
- Authenticated sessions issuing high volumes of file access requests in short intervals
Detection Strategies
- Enable verbose access logging on the APROL Web Portal and forward events to a centralized SIEM for pattern analysis
- Baseline legitimate file retrieval parameter values, then alert on deviations that reference paths outside the expected working directory
- Correlate authenticated user activity with unexpected reads of configuration files, credential stores, or operating system paths
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for unusual authenticated session behavior, particularly accounts with low privileges accessing file retrieval functionality repeatedly
- Track outbound data volumes from the APROL server to detect bulk exfiltration following successful file reads
- Review authentication logs for credential reuse or brute-force activity that could precede exploitation of this authenticated flaw
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-10210
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade B&R APROL to version 4.4-005P or later as specified in the vendor advisory
- Restrict network access to the APROL Web Portal to trusted management networks and jump hosts only
- Audit all APROL user accounts and remove or disable accounts that no longer require access
- Rotate credentials and secrets that may have been exposed on the APROL server file system
Patch Information
B&R Automation has released a fixed version addressing CVE-2024-10210. Refer to the BR Automation Security Advisory for the official patch details and upgrade guidance. Apply the update in accordance with change management procedures for industrial control systems, including validation in a test environment prior to production rollout.
Workarounds
- Place the APROL Web Portal behind a segmented network zone with strict firewall rules limiting access to authorized operators
- Enforce strong authentication and least-privilege role assignments to reduce the population of users who can reach the vulnerable functionality
- Deploy a web application firewall or reverse proxy that inspects and blocks requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the portal
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
