CVE-2024-45823: FactoryTalk Batch View Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2024-45823 Overview

An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Batch View. The vulnerability exists due to shared secrets across accounts and could allow a threat actor to impersonate a user if the threat actor is able to enumerate additional information required during authentication. This flaw affects industrial control system (ICS) environments where FactoryTalk Batch View is deployed for batch process management and monitoring.

Critical Impact

A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to impersonate legitimate users, potentially gaining unauthorized access to batch process controls and sensitive operational data in industrial environments.

Affected Products

• Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Batch View version 2.01.00
• FactoryTalk Batch View deployments utilizing shared secret authentication mechanisms
• Industrial control environments running vulnerable FactoryTalk Batch View instances

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-09-12 - CVE-2024-45823 published to NVD
• 2024-10-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-45823

Vulnerability Analysis

This authentication bypass vulnerability (CWE-287) stems from a fundamental flaw in how FactoryTalk Batch View manages authentication secrets. The application utilizes shared secrets across multiple user accounts, creating a scenario where knowledge of these secrets combined with enumerable user information could allow unauthorized access.

The vulnerability requires network access and presents a high attack complexity since successful exploitation depends on the attacker's ability to enumerate additional authentication parameters. However, no user interaction or prior privileges are required to attempt exploitation, making this a significant risk for exposed industrial control systems.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper authentication implementation where cryptographic secrets are shared across multiple accounts rather than being unique to each user. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles of authentication isolation. When authentication tokens or secrets are reused across accounts, the compromise of a single secret can cascade to affect multiple user accounts, creating a systemic authentication weakness.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the threat actor to have network connectivity to the vulnerable FactoryTalk Batch View instance. The exploitation process involves:

1. The attacker identifies a FactoryTalk Batch View instance accessible over the network
2. The attacker enumerates user accounts and gathers additional authentication-related information
3. Leveraging knowledge of the shared secrets mechanism, the attacker crafts authentication requests that impersonate legitimate users
4. Upon successful authentication bypass, the attacker gains access to the batch view interface with the privileges of the impersonated user

The vulnerability mechanism relies on the improper use of shared authentication secrets across accounts. An attacker who can determine the shared secret value and enumerate required user information can construct valid authentication tokens for any account using that secret. For detailed technical information, refer to the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45823

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual authentication patterns showing multiple accounts authenticating from the same source IP in rapid succession
• Failed authentication attempts followed by successful logins from different user accounts
• Authentication logs showing access from unexpected network segments or external IP addresses
• Anomalous user session behavior inconsistent with normal operational patterns

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for patterns indicative of credential enumeration or brute-force attempts
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect reconnaissance activities targeting FactoryTalk Batch View services
• Deploy intrusion detection rules to identify authentication anomalies in industrial protocol communications
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect post-exploitation activities following authentication bypass

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for all authentication events within FactoryTalk Batch View
• Configure alerting for authentication failures and successes from unusual source addresses
• Implement session monitoring to detect simultaneous sessions from the same account across different locations
• Review access logs regularly for evidence of unauthorized access to batch control functions

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45823

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the official Rockwell Automation Security Advisory (SD 1698) for specific remediation guidance
• Restrict network access to FactoryTalk Batch View systems to authorized personnel only
• Implement network segmentation to isolate ICS components from untrusted networks
• Enable enhanced logging and monitoring for all authentication events

Patch Information

Rockwell Automation has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the official security advisory for the latest patch information and recommended firmware versions. Contact Rockwell Automation support for specific upgrade paths and compatibility requirements for your FactoryTalk Batch View deployment.

Workarounds

• Implement strict network access controls limiting connectivity to FactoryTalk Batch View instances
• Deploy additional authentication mechanisms such as VPN access requirements or multi-factor authentication at the network level
• Utilize firewall rules to restrict access to only known and trusted IP addresses
• Consider implementing an application-aware firewall to monitor and filter traffic to ICS applications

# Example network segmentation rule (adapt to your firewall)
# Restrict access to FactoryTalk Batch View to authorized management network
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.50.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP