CVE-2024-48841: FLXEON RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-48841 Overview

CVE-2024-48841 is a critical command injection vulnerability (CWE-77) affecting ABB FLXEON industrial control devices. Network access can be used to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, posing severe risks to industrial control system environments. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to compromise affected systems completely.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers with network access to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on ABB FLXEON devices, potentially compromising industrial control systems and connected infrastructure.

Affected Products

• ABB FLXEON version 9.3.4
• ABB FLXEON versions prior to 9.3.4

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-27 - CVE-2024-48841 published to NVD
• 2025-02-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-48841

Vulnerability Analysis

This command injection vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on affected ABB FLXEON devices without requiring authentication. The vulnerability enables full system compromise through the network interface, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The impact extends beyond the compromised device itself—successful exploitation can affect connected systems within the industrial control environment, as indicated by the scope change characteristics of this vulnerability. Attackers can achieve complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of both the vulnerable system and potentially connected downstream systems.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command - Command Injection). The vulnerability exists because user-supplied input is passed directly to system command execution functions without proper sanitization or validation. This allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that are executed with the privileges of the application, which in this case operates with elevated system privileges.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker with network access to a vulnerable ABB FLXEON device can craft specially formed requests containing injected commands. These commands are then executed by the underlying operating system with elevated privileges.

The attack complexity is low, making exploitation straightforward for attackers who can reach the vulnerable service. Given the industrial control system context, successful exploitation could enable:

• Complete device takeover and persistent access
• Manipulation of industrial processes
• Lateral movement within industrial networks
• Disruption of critical infrastructure operations

Technical details and exploitation specifics can be found in the ABB Security Document.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-48841

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected outbound network connections from FLXEON devices to unknown external hosts
• Unusual command execution patterns or process spawning on FLXEON devices
• Anomalous network traffic patterns to FLXEON management interfaces
• Unauthorized configuration changes or new user accounts on affected devices

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor traffic to FLXEON devices for command injection patterns
• Implement application-layer firewalls to inspect and filter requests containing potentially malicious command sequences
• Monitor system logs on FLXEON devices for unexpected command execution or privilege escalation events
• Conduct regular vulnerability scanning of industrial control system networks to identify exposed FLXEON devices

Monitoring Recommendations

• Establish baseline network behavior for FLXEON devices and alert on deviations
• Implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control devices and monitor inter-zone traffic
• Enable comprehensive logging on FLXEON devices and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for analysis
• Deploy SentinelOne agents where supported to detect post-exploitation behavior and lateral movement attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-48841

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all ABB FLXEON devices version 9.3.4 and older within your environment
• Isolate vulnerable FLXEON devices from untrusted networks immediately
• Implement strict network access controls limiting connectivity to authorized management systems only
• Review access logs for signs of compromise or exploitation attempts
• Contact ABB support for guidance on available patches or firmware updates

Patch Information

ABB has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the ABB Security Document for official patch information and update instructions. Apply vendor-provided firmware updates as soon as they become available after testing in a non-production environment.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to isolate FLXEON devices on dedicated industrial network segments
• Deploy firewall rules to restrict network access to FLXEON devices to only essential management hosts
• Disable unnecessary network services and interfaces on affected devices
• Implement VPN or jump server requirements for remote administrative access to industrial control networks