CVE-2024-29837 Overview
CVE-2024-29837 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the web interface of CS-Technologies Evolution Controller. The flaw affects versions 2.04.560.31.03.2024 and below. Poor session management allows an unauthenticated attacker to access administrator functionality whenever another user is already signed in. The vulnerability maps to [CWE-284] Improper Access Control and [CWE-287] Improper Authentication. Exploitation requires user interaction from an existing session but no privileges from the attacker.
Critical Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can hijack administrator-level functionality of the Evolution Controller while any other user is signed in, gaining full control over a physical access control system.
Affected Products
- CS-Technologies Evolution Controller version 2.04.560.31.03.2024
- All prior versions of CS-Technologies Evolution Controller
- Web management interface component of the Evolution platform
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-04-15 - CVE-2024-29837 published to NVD with technical analysis by DirectCyber
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-29837
Vulnerability Analysis
The Evolution Controller web interface implements session management that does not properly bind sessions to authenticated users. When a legitimate operator authenticates to the controller, the server creates an active session state that becomes accessible to network-adjacent unauthenticated requests. An attacker reaching the web interface over the network can invoke administrator-only endpoints by leveraging this active session context.
The issue results in complete compromise of the controller's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Because the Evolution Controller manages physical access control hardware, exploitation can translate to unlocking doors, disabling alarms, manipulating access schedules, and tampering with audit logs. Refer to the DirectCyber Vulnerability Analysis for additional context on related issues disclosed in the same advisory series.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of session ownership and identity within the web interface authorization layer. The application treats the presence of any active session as sufficient to authorize sensitive administrative actions, rather than verifying that the request originates from the authenticated user who owns the session token.
Attack Vector
The attacker reaches the controller's web interface over the network and issues requests to administrative endpoints. Exploitation depends on a legitimate user being signed in concurrently. No credentials, tokens, or prior account on the device are required. The attack does not require local access to the controller hardware.
No public proof-of-concept code has been released for this vulnerability. The DirectCyber advisory describes the behavior in prose without publishing exploitation tooling.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-29837
Indicators of Compromise
- Administrative actions in Evolution Controller audit logs that do not correlate with a known operator login session
- Configuration changes, door unlock events, or schedule modifications occurring from unexpected source IP addresses
- HTTP requests to administrative endpoints from network segments that should not access the controller
- Concurrent web sessions originating from geographically or logically inconsistent client addresses
Detection Strategies
- Correlate web interface access logs against the authenticated user roster and flag administrative requests without a matching authentication event
- Inspect network traffic to the controller for HTTP requests targeting administrator endpoints from unauthorized clients
- Baseline normal operator activity windows and alert on out-of-hours administrative actions
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Evolution Controller web logs to a central log aggregation platform for retention and correlation
- Enable network flow monitoring on VLANs hosting physical access control infrastructure
- Alert on any new or modified administrator accounts, badge credentials, or door schedules on the controller
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-29837
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Evolution Controller web interface using firewall rules or VLAN segmentation, permitting only trusted management workstations
- Require operators to log out of the web interface immediately after completing administrative tasks rather than leaving sessions idle
- Place the controller behind a VPN or zero-trust access broker so that the interface is not reachable from general-purpose networks
- Contact CS-Technologies for an updated firmware release that addresses the session management flaw
Patch Information
No vendor advisory or fixed version is listed in the NVD entry for CVE-2024-29837. Customers should contact CS-Technologies directly to confirm availability of a firmware release that supersedes version 2.04.560.31.03.2024 and remediates the session management defect. Refer to the DirectCyber Vulnerability Analysis for the original disclosure.
Workarounds
- Isolate the controller on a dedicated management network with no internet exposure
- Disable the web interface when not actively in use, where the product supports this option
- Enforce short session timeouts on the web interface to minimize the window in which an attacker can abuse an active session
- Limit the number of operators with administrative privileges to reduce the probability that an active session is available to abuse
# Example: restrict access to the Evolution Controller web interface
# Replace <controller_ip> and <mgmt_subnet> with site-specific values
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -s <mgmt_subnet> -d <controller_ip> --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <controller_ip> --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <controller_ip> --dport 80 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
