CVE-2024-1889 Overview
CVE-2024-1889 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting SMA Cluster Controller devices running firmware version 01.05.01.R. The flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious link that, when clicked by an authenticated user, triggers unauthorized actions on the affected device with that user's permissions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery). The issue impacts the SMA CLCON-10 and CLCON-S-10 cluster controller products, which are used to manage and monitor photovoltaic (PV) plant installations.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables an attacker to perform actions with the privileges of an authenticated user, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the cluster controller.
Affected Products
- SMA CLCON-10 firmware version 01.05.01.R
- SMA CLCON-S-10 firmware version 01.05.01.R
- SMA CLCON-10 and CLCON-S-10 hardware appliances
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-02-26 - CVE-2024-1889 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-1889
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from the SMA Cluster Controller web management interface failing to validate the origin or authenticity of state-changing HTTP requests. Without anti-CSRF tokens or equivalent request validation, the application cannot distinguish between legitimate user-initiated requests and forged requests originating from attacker-controlled sites.
When an authenticated administrator visits a malicious page or follows a crafted link, the browser automatically attaches valid session cookies to any request directed at the cluster controller. The controller processes these requests as legitimate, executing administrative actions chosen by the attacker. Exploitation requires user interaction but no prior privileges on the target device.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing CSRF protection [CWE-352] in the web management interface of the SMA CLCON-10 and CLCON-S-10 firmware. State-changing endpoints accept authenticated requests based solely on session cookies, without verifying request origin, referer headers, or a synchronizer token tied to the user session.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires the target administrator to be authenticated to the cluster controller and to interact with attacker-supplied content. An attacker hosts a page containing HTML or JavaScript that issues requests to the cluster controller's management endpoints. Because the cluster controller relies on ambient browser authentication, the forged request executes with the victim's privileges. This can be used to modify device configuration, alter plant control parameters, or disrupt PV plant operations.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this issue. See the INCIBE Security Notice for vendor-coordinated details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-1889
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected configuration changes on SMA CLCON-10 or CLCON-S-10 devices outside of scheduled maintenance windows.
- HTTP requests to the cluster controller management interface with Referer or Origin headers pointing to unknown external domains.
- Administrator session activity originating from browsers that recently visited untrusted external sites.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and reverse proxy logs for state-changing requests (POST, PUT, DELETE) lacking expected internal referer headers.
- Correlate administrator authentication events with subsequent configuration changes to identify anomalies.
- Monitor for repeated identical requests targeting cluster controller endpoints across multiple administrator sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web interface access logs from the CLCON-10 and CLCON-S-10 to a centralized SIEM for retention and analysis.
- Alert on configuration change events that occur without a corresponding interactive administrative session.
- Baseline normal administrator workflows and flag deviations such as configuration changes initiated outside business hours.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-1889
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the SMA cluster controller management interface to trusted management subnets only.
- Require administrators to use dedicated browsers or workstations for managing the cluster controller, separate from general web browsing.
- Terminate authenticated sessions immediately after administrative tasks are complete.
Patch Information
Refer to the INCIBE Security Notice on multiple vulnerabilities in SMA products for vendor-coordinated remediation guidance. Apply any firmware updates published by SMA that supersede version 01.05.01.R and address [CWE-352]. Contact SMA support directly to confirm the currently recommended firmware release for CLCON-10 and CLCON-S-10 deployments.
Workarounds
- Place the cluster controller behind a VPN or jump host and block direct access from general user networks.
- Enforce strict egress filtering on administrator workstations to limit exposure to attacker-controlled web content.
- Configure browser policies that block third-party cookies and cross-site request behavior for the management interface domain.
- Use short session timeouts on the cluster controller web interface to reduce the window in which CSRF can succeed.
# Example: restrict access to the cluster controller management interface
# Replace 10.10.0.0/24 with your trusted management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
