CVE-2024-7956 Overview
CVE-2024-7956 is an authentication weakness [CWE-287] affecting Rockwell Automation products. The flaw allows an authenticated user with basic privileges to access projects belonging to other users. Once access is obtained, the attacker can modify or delete the affected projects, undermining the integrity and availability of engineering data.
The vulnerability is network-exploitable and requires low privileges, making it accessible to any user with legitimate access to the environment. Rockwell Automation has published Security Advisory SD1702 to describe affected products and remediation steps.
Critical Impact
Authenticated low-privilege users can access, modify, and delete projects owned by other users, resulting in unauthorized changes to industrial automation project data.
Affected Products
- Rockwell Automation products referenced in Security Advisory SD1702
- Refer to the vendor advisory for the complete list of affected versions
- Consult Rockwell Automation for product-specific applicability
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-02 - CVE-2024-7956 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-09-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-7956
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-7956 is classified under [CWE-287] Improper Authentication. The affected products fail to correctly enforce identity verification when a user requests access to project resources. As a result, a threat actor with basic user privileges can reach projects that should be restricted to their owners.
Once the actor bypasses the intended access boundary, they gain the ability to modify project contents or delete projects entirely. In industrial automation environments, project data typically defines controller logic, device configuration, and process parameters. Loss or unauthorized modification of this data can disrupt production workflows and require restoration from backup.
The attack vector is network-based, aligning with typical deployment models where engineering workstations communicate with centralized project services.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient authentication or authorization checks when users request project resources. The product treats basic user credentials as sufficient to reach projects owned by other accounts. The advisory does not disclose the specific control flow, but the outcome is a violation of the intended access model, as documented in the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1702.
Attack Vector
An attacker requires network access and valid basic user credentials. Using an authenticated session, the attacker requests, enumerates, or manipulates project resources owned by other users. No user interaction from the victim is required. The attacker can then issue modify or delete operations against the accessed projects.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code has been released. Refer to the vendor advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7956
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected project modifications, deletions, or ownership changes recorded in application audit logs.
- Authenticated sessions from basic user accounts accessing projects outside their normal scope.
- Unusual project enumeration or bulk read operations from a single low-privilege account.
Detection Strategies
- Enable and centralize application-level audit logging for project create, read, update, and delete operations.
- Correlate user identity with project ownership metadata to flag cross-account access attempts.
- Baseline typical project access patterns per user and alert on statistical deviations.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Rockwell Automation product logs to a SIEM or security data lake for retention and analysis.
- Monitor privileged and basic user activity for anomalous project operations, especially deletions.
- Alert on authentication events followed by rapid access to multiple project resources.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7956
Immediate Actions Required
- Review Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1702 and identify affected products in your environment.
- Apply vendor-provided updates or mitigations as specified in the advisory.
- Audit existing user accounts and remove unnecessary basic-user access to project services.
- Ensure current, verified backups of all project data exist before applying changes.
Patch Information
Rockwell Automation has published remediation guidance in Security Advisory SD1702. Consult the advisory for fixed product versions and upgrade procedures specific to your deployment. Coordinate patch windows with operational technology change-management processes.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to affected product interfaces using segmentation and firewall rules.
- Limit basic user account provisioning to individuals who require project access.
- Enforce least-privilege on project ownership and access-control assignments.
- Increase logging retention to support post-incident review of project operations.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
