CVE-2024-29844: Evolution Controller Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2024-29844 Overview

CVE-2024-29844 is a critical authentication vulnerability affecting the Evolution Controller 2.x Web Interface. The system ships with default credentials that are never required to be changed during installation or first login. This insecure default configuration allows anyone with network access to authenticate to the server's administrative interface using well-known credentials, enabling full administrative control over the affected system.

Critical Impact

Attackers can gain complete administrative access to Evolution Controller 2.x systems using default credentials, potentially compromising industrial control environments and enabling unauthorized system manipulation.

Affected Products

• CS-Technologies Evolution Controller 2.x
• Evolution Controller Web Interface (all 2.x versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-04-15 - CVE-2024-29844 published to NVD
• 2025-12-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-29844

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1392 (Use of Default Credentials), representing a fundamental security design flaw in the Evolution Controller 2.x product line. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to enforce credential changes during installation or upon first login to the administrative web interface.

The attack surface is network-accessible, requiring no prior authentication or user interaction to exploit. An attacker simply needs network connectivity to the Evolution Controller's web interface and knowledge of the default credentials to gain full administrative privileges. Once authenticated, attackers have complete control over the controller's configuration and operations.

This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control system (ICS) environments where Evolution Controllers may be deployed, as unauthorized administrative access could lead to operational disruption, data theft, or manipulation of controlled processes.

Root Cause

The root cause is an insecure default configuration vulnerability. The Evolution Controller 2.x application:

1. Ships with pre-configured default credentials for administrative access
2. Does not prompt users to change these credentials during initial setup
3. Provides no warning or notification that default credentials are in use
4. Allows unrestricted administrative login with these default credentials

This represents a failure to implement security best practices for credential management and system hardening during deployment.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires minimal complexity. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Identifying an Evolution Controller 2.x system exposed on the network
2. Accessing the web interface login page
3. Authenticating using the default administrator credentials
4. Gaining full administrative access to configure, modify, or disrupt the controller

No special tools or exploit code are required—only knowledge of the default credentials and network access to the target system. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without any user interaction.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-29844

Indicators of Compromise

• Successful login events to the Evolution Controller web interface from unexpected IP addresses or geographic locations
• Multiple administrative actions or configuration changes occurring in short time periods
• Login activity outside of normal business hours or maintenance windows
• Administrative sessions originating from previously unseen network segments

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for successful logins using the default administrative account
• Implement network monitoring to detect connections to Evolution Controller management interfaces from unauthorized networks
• Configure alerting for any configuration changes made through the administrative interface
• Deploy network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement toward control system networks

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on Evolution Controller systems and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
• Establish baseline administrative activity patterns and alert on deviations
• Implement regular credential audits to verify default passwords have been changed
• Monitor network traffic to Evolution Controller web interface ports for suspicious activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-29844

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately change default credentials on all Evolution Controller 2.x systems to strong, unique passwords
• Audit all Evolution Controller deployments to identify systems still using default credentials
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to Evolution Controller management interfaces
• Review authentication logs for any unauthorized access that may have occurred before credential changes

Patch Information

Consult the vendor's security advisory for specific patch or firmware update information. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability and related issues in the Evolution Controller product line, refer to the Direct Cyber security advisory.

Workarounds

• Change all default credentials immediately upon system deployment
• Restrict network access to the Evolution Controller web interface using firewall rules or VPN
• Implement IP allowlisting to limit management interface access to authorized administrator workstations only
• Enable multi-factor authentication if supported by the device firmware
• Place Evolution Controller systems on isolated network segments with strict access controls

# Network segmentation example for Evolution Controller
# Restrict access to management interface (example firewall rules)

# Allow management access only from authorized admin subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT

# Block all other access to management ports
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP