CISA Advisory: Beckhoff Automation TwinCAT Package Manager

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 7.0
• ATTENTION: Low Attack Complexity
• Vendor: Beckhoff Automation
• Equipment: TwinCAT Package Manager
• Vulnerability: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command (‘OS Command Injection’)

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation this vulnerability could allow a local attacker with administrative access rights to execute arbitrary OS commands on the affected system.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following Beckhoff Automation products are affected:

• TwinCAT Package Manager: Versions prior to 1.0.603.0

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN AN OS COMMAND (‘OS COMMAND INJECTION’) CWE-78

A local user with administrative access rights can enter specially crafted values for settings at the user interface (UI) of the TwinCAT Package Manager which then causes arbitrary OS commands to be executed.

CVE-2024-8934 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-8934. A base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:P/VC:H/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: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

elcazator of ELEX FEIGONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE of Elex CyberSecurity, Inc. reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Beckhoff Automation recommends users update to at least version 1.0.613.0.

Additionally, Beckhoff Automation has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

• Administrative users should always act thoroughly and inspect the values which they enter.
• Please update to a recent version of the affected product.

For more information CERT@VDE has released security advisory VDE-2024-064

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

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 this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• November 7, 2024: Initial Publication