ABB ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX Series

Posted on Thursday February 20, 2025

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CVSS v4 9.3
ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
Vendor: ABB
Equipment: ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX series
Vulnerability: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to obtain access to devices without proper authentication.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

ABB reports the following products are affected:

ABB ASPECT®-Enterprise ASP-ENT-x: Versions 3.08.03 and prior
ABB NEXUS Series NEX-2x: Versions 3.08.03 and prior
ABB NEXUS Series: Versions 3.08.03 and prior
ABB MATRIX Series MAT-x: Versions 3.08.03 and prior

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 USE OF HARD-CODED CREDENTIALS CWE-798

Several hard-coded credentials for the products internal use are contained in the firmware as plain text information.

CVE-2024-51547 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-51547. A base score of 9.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/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: Switzerland

3.4 RESEARCHER

Gjoko Krstikj of Zero Science Lab reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

ABB has identified specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk and recommends users to perform the following actions on any released SW version of ASPECT:

Stop and disconnect any ASPECT 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 log-files, downloaded from the equipment is protected against unauthorized access.
Ensure that all ASPECT products are upgraded to the latest firmware version. Please find the latest version of ASPECT 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 9AKK108470A6775.

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.