CVE-2024-5271: Fujielectric Monitouch V-sft RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-5271 Overview

CVE-2024-5271 is a type confusion vulnerability in Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT, an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) screen configuration software used in industrial control system (ICS) environments. The flaw allows an out-of-bounds write condition that attackers can leverage to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected engineering workstations. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, typically through opening a maliciously crafted project file. Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT is deployed across manufacturing, energy, and process automation sectors, making this vulnerability relevant to operators of industrial control networks. CISA published advisory ICSA-24-151-02 covering this issue alongside related flaws in the same product.

Critical Impact
An attacker who convinces an engineer to open a crafted V-SFT project file can execute arbitrary code on the workstation, potentially pivoting into connected operational technology (OT) networks.

Affected Products

Fuji Electric Monitouch V-SFT (all versions covered by CISA advisory ICSA-24-151-02)
HMI engineering workstations running V-SFT configuration software
Industrial control environments dependent on V-SFT project files

Discovery Timeline

2024-05-30 - CVE-2024-5271 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-5271

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified as a type confusion flaw (CWE-843). Type confusion occurs when code allocates or accesses a resource using one type but later interprets that resource as an incompatible type. In Monitouch V-SFT, this mismatch leads to an out-of-bounds write when the application parses attacker-controlled file content. Because the write operates on memory outside the intended bounds, an attacker can corrupt adjacent structures, including function pointers or object metadata. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running V-SFT. Engineering workstations typically run with elevated privileges, expanding the blast radius of a successful compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of object type during parsing of Monitouch V-SFT project or configuration files. When the parser dispatches on a type field or object header, it fails to confirm that the underlying memory layout matches the assumed type. Subsequent write operations use offsets and sizes valid for the assumed type but not for the actual object, producing an out-of-bounds write.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious V-SFT project file and delivers it through phishing, shared network drives, USB media, or supply-chain channels. When an operator opens the file in V-SFT, the parser triggers the type confusion and executes attacker-controlled shellcode. No verified public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-24-151-02 for authoritative technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5271

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by the V-SFT executable, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
V-SFT project files (.V*) received from untrusted sources or arriving through email attachments and removable media
Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing access violations inside V-SFT modules
Outbound network connections initiated by the V-SFT process to non-corporate destinations

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage on HMI engineering workstations for anomalous child processes of V-SFT
Alert on file writes to autorun locations, scheduled tasks, or startup folders performed by V-SFT
Inspect email gateways and file shares for V-SFT project files originating outside the trusted engineering group

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable process creation and image load logging on all engineering workstations that host V-SFT
Forward endpoint telemetry from OT-adjacent workstations to a centralized SIEM or data lake for behavioral analysis
Baseline normal V-SFT file access patterns and alert on deviations such as parsing files from user download directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5271

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict use of Monitouch V-SFT to authorized engineering personnel and dedicated workstations
Block delivery of V-SFT project files through email and web downloads until patched versions are deployed
Enforce application allowlisting on HMI engineering workstations to limit execution of unexpected binaries
Review the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-24-151-02 and apply vendor-recommended updates

Patch Information

Fuji Electric addressed this vulnerability in updated releases of Monitouch V-SFT. Consult the CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-24-151-02 and Fuji Electric support channels for the specific fixed version and installer packages. Apply the vendor patch on all engineering workstations that install or run V-SFT.

Workarounds

Isolate engineering workstations on a segmented network with no direct internet access, consistent with ISA/IEC 62443 zone and conduit guidance
Open V-SFT project files only from verified, integrity-checked sources such as internal version-controlled repositories
Run V-SFT under a standard user account rather than a local administrator where feasible, reducing post-exploitation impact
Disable auto-opening of project files from removable media and network shares

bash

# Configuration example: restrict V-SFT execution via Windows AppLocker publisher rule
New-AppLockerPolicy -RuleType Publisher -User Everyone `
  -FilePath "C:\Program Files (x86)\FujiElectric\V-SFT\V-SFT.exe" `
  -Optimize | Set-AppLockerPolicy -Merge