CVE-2024-45494 is a critical security vulnerability identified in MSA FieldServer Gateway firmware versions 5.0.0 through 6.5.2. The root cause is the presence of an internally used shared administrative user account that authenticates using a static shared secret, which is identical across all affected devices. This design flaw corresponds to CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), where the shared secret is hardcoded and not unique per device, making it trivial for attackers to guess or obtain. Because the authentication mechanism requires no privileges or user interaction, and the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N, PR:N, UI:N), an attacker can gain unauthorized administrative access to the device. This access allows full control over the device, including the ability to alter configurations, disrupt operations, and potentially pivot to other networked systems. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the FieldServer Gateway, which is commonly used in industrial control systems and building automation. The flaw was addressed in version 7.0.0 by removing or securing the shared administrative account. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the critical CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the high risk posed by this vulnerability.

The impact of CVE-2024-45494 is severe for organizations relying on MSA FieldServer Gateway devices in their operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) environments. Successful exploitation grants attackers full administrative privileges without authentication, enabling them to manipulate device configurations, disrupt communications, and potentially cause operational downtime. This can lead to compromised industrial processes, safety hazards, data breaches, and loss of control over critical infrastructure. Given the device’s role as a gateway in field networks, attackers could use it as a foothold to move laterally within an organization's network, increasing the scope of compromise. The vulnerability threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive configuration data, integrity by allowing unauthorized changes, and availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions. The lack of user interaction and authentication requirements makes exploitation straightforward, increasing the likelihood of attacks once the vulnerability is widely known.

To mitigate CVE-2024-45494, organizations should immediately upgrade all affected MSA FieldServer Gateway devices to version 7.0.0 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, implement network segmentation to isolate FieldServer Gateway devices from untrusted networks and restrict access to management interfaces using firewalls and access control lists. Disable or change default administrative accounts where possible, and monitor network traffic for unusual access patterns to these devices. Employ strong network-level authentication and encryption to protect communications with the gateway. Regularly audit device configurations and logs for signs of unauthorized access. Additionally, coordinate with MSA support for any available patches or workarounds and maintain an incident response plan tailored to OT environments. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, rapid patching combined with enhanced network defenses is essential to reduce risk.