CVE-2024-6435 Overview
CVE-2024-6435 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Rockwell Automation Pavilion8. A malicious user with basic privileges can invoke functions that should be restricted to administrators. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read sensitive data and create new user accounts with elevated privileges.
The flaw stems from improper permission assignment for critical resources [CWE-732]. An authenticated low-privileged attacker can reach the vulnerable functions over the network without user interaction. The vulnerability affects Pavilion8 industrial process management software used across manufacturing environments.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with basic privileges can create administrative accounts and access sensitive views, resulting in full compromise of the Pavilion8 application tier.
Affected Products
- Rockwell Automation Pavilion8 versions 5.15.00 and 5.15.01
- Rockwell Automation Pavilion8 versions 5.16.00, 5.17.00, and 5.17.01
- Rockwell Automation Pavilion8 version 5.20.00
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-07-16 - CVE-2024-6435 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-6435
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the authorization layer of Pavilion8. The application authenticates users but does not consistently enforce role-based permission checks on privileged functions. Basic-privilege sessions can call administrative endpoints that should reject them.
The issue maps to [CWE-732] Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource. Once authenticated, an attacker can invoke user-management routines and read the views section to retrieve sensitive process and configuration data. Creating a new administrator account provides durable persistence and lateral movement into connected operational technology (OT) systems.
The EPSS probability is 0.488% with a percentile of 39.884, reflecting current predicted exploitation likelihood.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or inconsistent server-side authorization checks on administrative functions. The application relies on client-side privilege enforcement or role checks that can be bypassed by directly invoking backend functions. Sensitive views and user-creation endpoints do not verify the caller's role before execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the Pavilion8 web interface and valid low-privilege credentials. The attacker authenticates with a standard user account, then issues requests to administrative functions such as user creation or restricted views. No user interaction is required, and attack complexity is low.
No verified proof-of-concept has been published. See the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1681 for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-6435
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected user accounts created in Pavilion8, particularly accounts granted administrative roles outside change-control windows.
- Basic-privilege accounts issuing HTTP requests to administrative endpoints or the views section.
- Authentication logs showing basic accounts accessing resources historically limited to administrators.
- Session activity from a single low-privilege account followed by immediate administrative actions.
Detection Strategies
- Audit the Pavilion8 user directory and flag any account creation events not tied to an approved ticket.
- Correlate application logs to identify sessions where role-restricted functions are invoked by non-administrative users.
- Monitor for anomalous data-volume reads from the views section by low-privilege accounts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest Pavilion8 application and access logs into a centralized SIEM for role-based access analysis.
- Alert on privilege changes, role assignments, and new administrative account creation in real time.
- Baseline normal usage per role and alert on deviations, especially administrative function calls by basic users.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-6435
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed Pavilion8 release referenced in Rockwell Automation advisory SD1681.
- Review all Pavilion8 accounts and remove unauthorized or unexpected administrative users.
- Rotate credentials for any account that may have been created or elevated through exploitation.
- Restrict network reachability of the Pavilion8 management interface to trusted operator networks.
Patch Information
Rockwell Automation has published security advisory SD1681 documenting the affected versions and remediation guidance. Customers should upgrade Pavilion8 to a vendor-supplied fixed release. Refer to the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory for version-specific instructions.
Workarounds
- Place Pavilion8 behind a segmented OT network with strict firewall rules limiting access to authorized workstations.
- Enforce least-privilege for all Pavilion8 users and remove basic accounts that do not need application access.
- Require multi-factor authentication for access to hosts that reach the Pavilion8 web interface.
- Increase logging verbosity on Pavilion8 to capture role-check events until patching is complete.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
