CVE-2024-55019: Weintek Easyweb Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-55019 Overview

CVE-2024-55019 is an incorrect access control vulnerability affecting the download_wb.cgi component of Weintek cMT-3072XH2 industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) devices. The vulnerability exists in Weintek easyweb Web Version v2.1.53 with OS version 20231011. Due to missing authentication checks in the vulnerable CGI component, unauthenticated remote attackers can download arbitrary files from the affected device, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, credentials, and other critical information stored on the HMI system.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can remotely download arbitrary files from vulnerable Weintek HMI devices, potentially exposing industrial control system configurations, credentials, and sensitive operational data.

Affected Products

• Weintek cMT-3072XH2 Hardware
• Weintek cMT-3072XH2 Firmware version 20231011
• Weintek easyweb Web Version v2.1.53

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-03 - CVE-2024-55019 published to NVD
• 2026-03-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-55019

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper access control (CWE-284) in the download_wb.cgi component of the Weintek easyweb web interface. This CGI endpoint is designed to facilitate file downloads from the HMI device but fails to implement proper authentication and authorization checks before processing requests.

When a request is made to the download_wb.cgi endpoint, the component does not verify whether the requesting user has been authenticated or has the appropriate permissions to access the requested file. This allows any network-adjacent or internet-exposed attacker to craft requests that retrieve arbitrary files from the device's filesystem.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where HMI devices often store sensitive configuration files, PLC communication parameters, user credentials, and operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks against industrial control systems.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is missing authentication enforcement in the download_wb.cgi CGI script. The component processes file download requests without validating session tokens, authentication cookies, or any other form of access credentials. This represents a fundamental secure-by-design failure where a sensitive file access operation was implemented without access control mechanisms.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without any authentication requirements. An attacker needs only network access to the web interface of the vulnerable Weintek device. The attack sequence involves:

1. Identifying a vulnerable Weintek cMT-3072XH2 device with easyweb version v2.1.53
2. Sending crafted HTTP requests to the download_wb.cgi endpoint
3. Specifying the target file path to be downloaded
4. Receiving the file contents in the HTTP response

The vulnerability allows attackers to enumerate and download files including configuration files, backup files, credential stores, and system files without any authentication barrier. Additional technical details and analysis can be found in the Notion Analysis of Weintek Device and the GitHub Script Repository.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-55019

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP GET/POST requests targeting /download_wb.cgi from external or unauthorized IP addresses
• Multiple file download requests to the CGI endpoint within a short timeframe from a single source
• Access logs showing requests for sensitive file paths such as configuration files, password files, or system files via the vulnerable endpoint
• Network traffic showing large data transfers from the HMI device to unknown destinations

Detection Strategies

• Implement network-based IDS/IPS rules to detect and alert on requests to download_wb.cgi from untrusted sources
• Monitor web server access logs for anomalous patterns of file download requests, especially targeting system or configuration paths
• Deploy network traffic analysis to identify potential data exfiltration from HMI devices
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate multiple download attempts from the same source IP within defined time windows

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on all Weintek HMI devices and centralize logs for analysis
• Establish baseline normal access patterns and alert on deviations, particularly for CGI endpoints
• Monitor for reconnaissance activities that may precede exploitation, such as directory enumeration or fingerprinting requests
• Implement real-time alerting for any access to download_wb.cgi from non-whitelisted IP addresses

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-55019

Immediate Actions Required

• Isolate affected Weintek cMT-3072XH2 devices from direct internet exposure immediately
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to HMI devices only from authorized management networks
• Configure firewall rules to block external access to the web interface ports (typically HTTP/HTTPS)
• Audit device access logs for any signs of prior exploitation or unauthorized file downloads

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no official vendor patch information is available in the CVE data. Organizations should monitor Weintek's official security advisories and support channels for firmware updates that address this vulnerability. Contact Weintek support directly for remediation guidance and patch availability.

Workarounds

• Disable the web interface on affected devices if not operationally required
• Implement network-level access controls using firewalls or VLANs to restrict access to trusted IP addresses only
• Deploy a reverse proxy with authentication in front of the HMI web interface to enforce access controls
• Consider using VPN access for remote management of industrial devices rather than direct web exposure

# Example firewall rule to restrict access to Weintek HMI web interface
# Allow only from management network (adjust IP range as needed)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 192.168.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 192.168.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP