Full Report
View CSAF 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CVSS v4 10.0 ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity Vendor: ABB Equipment: FLXEON Controllers Vulnerabilities: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion'), Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets, Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File 2. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to send unauthorized HTTPS requests, access sensitive information from HTTPS responses, or use network access to execute remote code. 3. TECHNICAL DETAILS 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS ABB reports that the following products are affected: FLXEON Controllers FBXi: Version 9.3.4 and prior FLXEON Controllers FBVi: Version 9.3.4 and prior FLXEON Controllers FBTi: Version 9.3.4 and prior FLXEON Controllers CBXi: Version 9.3.4 and prior 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW 3.2.1 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN A COMMAND ('COMMAND INJECTION') CWE-77 Network access can be used to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This issue affects FLXEON version 9.3.4 and prior. CVE-2024-48841 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-48841. A base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H). 3.2.2 MISSING ORIGIN VALIDATION IN WEBSOCKETS CWE-1385 Session management is not sufficient to prevent unauthorized HTTPS requests. This issue affects FLXEON version 9.3.4 and prior. CVE-2024-48849 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-48849. A base score of 8.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 3.2.3 INSERTION OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION INTO LOG FILE CWE-532 Some information may be improperly disclosed through HTTPS access. This issue affects FLXEON version 9.3.4 and prior. CVE-2024-48852 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-48852. A base score of 8.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 3.3 BACKGROUND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland 3.4 RESEARCHER Gjoko Krstikj of Zero Science Lab reported these vulnerabilities through responsible disclosure. 4. MITIGATIONS ABB recommends that users update to firmware version 9.3.5. ABB recommends that users immediately do the following actions on any released version of FLXEON: Stop and disconnect any FLXEON products that are exposed directly to the Internet, either via a direct ISP connection or via NAT port forwarding. Ensure that physical controls are in place, so no unauthorized personnel can access your devices, components, peripheral equipment, and networks. Ensure that all FLXEON products are upgraded to the latest firmware version (9.3.5 or above). Please find the latest version of FLXEON firmware on the respective product homepage. When remote access is required, only use secure methods. If a virtual private network (VPN) is used, ensure that the chosen VPN is secure i.e. updated to the most current version available and configured for secure access. For more information, please refer to ABB's cybersecurity advisory 9AKK108470A5684. ABB states that these vulnerabilities are only exploitable if attackers can access the network segment where FLXEON is installed and exposed directly to the internet. ABB therefore recommends the following guidelines in order to protect users networks: FLXEON devices should never be exposed directly to the Internet either via a direct ISP connection nor via NAT port forwarding. If remote access to a FLXEON system is a user requirement, the system shall operate behind a firewall. Users accessing FLXEON remotely shall do this using a VPN gateway allowing access to the particular network segment where FLXEON is in stalled and configured. It is crucial that the VPN gateway and network are set up in accordance with best industry standards and maintained in terms of security patches for all related components. Change default passwords if they are still in use. Ensure that all FLXEON products are upgraded to the latest firmware version. Please find the latest version of FLXEON firmware on the respective product homepage. CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures. CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies. CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies. Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents. No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. 5. UPDATE HISTORY February 20, 2025: Initial Publication
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Multiple Critical Vulnerabilities in ABB FLXEON Controllers (RCE, Unauthorized Request/Information Disclosure)
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2024-48841, CVE-2024-48849, CVE-2024-48852
- CVSS Score: 10.0 (CVSS v3.1) / 10.0 (CVSS v4.0) [For CVE-2024-48841]
- CVE-2024-48849 & CVE-2024-48852 score: 9.4 (CVSS v3.1) / 8.8 (CVSS v4.0)
- CWE: PHP Remote File Inclusion, Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets, Sensitive Information Disclosure in Log File (Implied by context)
## Affected Systems
- Products: ABB FLXEON Controllers (FBXi, FBVi, FBTi, CBXi)
- Versions: Version 9.3.4 and prior for all listed models.
- Configurations: Vulnerabilities are primarily exploitable if the device is exposed directly to the Internet (via ISP connection or NAT port forwarding).
## Vulnerability Description
This advisory covers three critical vulnerabilities in ABB FLXEON Controllers (versions 9.3.4 and prior) leading to severe impacts:
1. **CVE-2024-48841 (RCE):** Allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges via network access. The underlying cause appears related to "Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program" (RFI).
2. **CVE-2024-48849 (Unauthorized HTTPS Requests):** Insufficient session management allows unauthorized HTTPS requests to be sent.
3. **CVE-2024-48852 (Information Disclosure):** Some information may be improperly disclosed via HTTPS access.
## Exploitation
- Status: No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.
- Complexity: Low (AV:N/AC:L for all listed CVEs)
- Attack Vector: Network
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (for RCE/Information Disclosure)
- Integrity: High (for RCE/Unauthorized Requests)
- Availability: High (for RCE)
## Remediation
### Patches
- Firmware version **9.3.5** or above is required to resolve these issues.
### Workarounds
ABB strongly recommends the following immediate actions, especially if upgrading is delayed or network exposure is a concern:
1. **Immediate Segmentation:** Stop and disconnect any FLXEON products exposed directly to the Internet (via ISP connection or NAT port forwarding).
2. **Network Security:** Ensure FLXEON devices are never exposed directly to the Internet. They must operate behind a firewall.
3. **Secure Remote Access:** If remote access is required, use a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateway configured to standards, allowing access only to the specific network segment where FLXEON resides.
4. **Authentication:** Change default passwords if still in use.
5. **Physical Security:** Ensure physical controls prevent unauthorized personnel access to devices, peripherals, and networks.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unauthorized execution of arbitrary code, unexpected HTTPS traffic originating from or targeting the FLXEON device, or unexpected system changes.
- **Detection methods and tools:** Implement network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns aimed at the FLXEON device, particularly if it is segmented improperly. Apply CISA's ICS defense-in-depth strategies.
## References
- Vendor advisory: abb's cybersecurity advisory 9AKK108470A5684
- CISA Source (CSAF): hxxps://github[.]com/cisagov/CSAF
- CVE Lookups: hxxps://www.cve[.]org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-48841 (and subsequent IDs)