Rockwell Automation Arena (Update A)

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.5
• ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
• Vendor: Rockwell Automation
• Equipment: Arena
• Vulnerabilities: Use After Free, Out-of-bounds Write, Improper Initialization, Out-of-bounds Read, Dependency on Vulnerable Third-Party Component

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in execution of arbitrary code.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Arena are affected:

• Arena: Versions 16.20.00 and prior (CVE-2024-11155, CVE-2024-11158)
• Arena: Versions 16.20.03 and prior (CVE-2024-11156)
• Arena: Versions 16.20.05 and prior (CVE-2024-12130)
• Arena: Versions 16.20.06 and prior (CVE-2024-11157, CVE-2024-12175)
• Arena 32 bit: Versions 16.20.07 and prior (CVE-2024-12672)
• Arena 32 bit: Versions 16.20.06 and prior (CVE-2024-11364)

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 USE AFTER FREE CWE-416

A "use after free" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to use a resource that was already used. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-11155 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-11155. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

An "out of bounds write" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to write beyond the boundaries of allocated memory in a DOE file. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-11156 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-11156. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 IMPROPER INITIALIZATION CWE-665

An "uninitialized variable" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to access a variable before it being initialized. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-11158 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-11158. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.4 OUT-OF-BOUNDS READ CWE-125

An "out of bounds read" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to read beyond the boundaries of an allocated memory. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-12130 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-12130. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.5 OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

A third-party vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to write beyond the boundaries of allocated memory in a DOE file. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-11157 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-11157. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.6 USE AFTER FREE CWE-416

Another "use after free" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to use a resource that was already used. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-12175 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-12175. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.7 DEPENDENCY ON THIRD-PARTY COMPONENT CWE-1395

A third-party vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to write beyond the boundaries of allocated memory in a DOE file. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-12672 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-12672. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.8 DEPENDENCY ON THIRD-PARTY COMPONENT CWE-1395

Another "uninitialized variable" code execution vulnerability exists in the affected products that could allow a threat actor to craft a DOE file and force the software to access a variable prior to it being initialized. If exploited, a threat actor could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. To exploit this vulnerability, a legitimate user must execute the malicious code crafted by the threat actor.

CVE-2024-11364 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-11364. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/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: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Rocco Calvi (@TecR0c) with TecSecurity working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative and Mat Powell of Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative reported these vulnerabilities to Rockwell Automation.

4. MITIGATIONS

Rockwell Automation recommends users upgrade to V16.20.06 or later.

Rockwell Automation encourages users of the affected software to apply the following risk mitigations, if possible.

• Do not load untrusted Arena model files.
• Hold the control key down when loading files to help prevent the VBA file stream from loading.

For information on how to mitigate security risks on industrial automation control systems, Rockwell Automation encourages users to implement their suggested security best practices (login required) to minimize the risk of the vulnerability.

Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization can be used to generate more environment-specific prioritization.

For more information about these issues, please see the Rockwell Automation security advisory.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, 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), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is 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/ics. 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/ics 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.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• December 10, 2024: Initial Publication
• January 10, 2025: Update A - Added CVE-2024-11157, CVE-2024-12175, CVE-2024-12672, and CVE-2024-11364.

• Rockwell Automation