CVE-2024-47944 is a vulnerability identified in RITTAL GmbH & Co. KG's IoT Interface & CMC III Processing Unit, specifically affecting firmware upgrade mechanisms prior to version 6.21.00.2. The core issue is that the device processes .patch firmware upgrade files directly from a USB stick without any authentication or validation in the administrative interface. This lack of protection constitutes a missing security control for an alternate hardware interface, classified under CWE-1299. An attacker with physical access or network access to the device’s USB interface can insert a malicious .patch file, which the device will execute, leading to unauthenticated arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8, reflecting medium severity, with a vector indicating local attack vector (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the ability to fully compromise the device without authentication. The affected products are commonly used in industrial automation and critical infrastructure environments, where such a compromise could have cascading effects. The absence of patch links suggests that remediation may require contacting the vendor or awaiting an official update. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure firmware update mechanisms, including authentication and integrity verification, especially for devices exposed to physical or network access.

The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected RITTAL IoT Interface & CMC III Processing Unit without authentication, leading to full compromise of the device’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability. For European organizations, particularly those in industrial automation, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure sectors, this could result in operational disruptions, data breaches, and potential sabotage of industrial processes. Given the device’s role in controlling or monitoring industrial equipment, exploitation could lead to safety hazards, production downtime, and financial losses. The medium CVSS score reflects the requirement for physical or local network access, which somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments where devices are accessible. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude targeted attacks or insider threats. Organizations relying on these devices must consider the risk of unauthorized firmware modifications that could serve as a foothold for broader network compromise or lateral movement within industrial control systems.

1. Upgrade affected devices to firmware version 6.21.00.2 or later as soon as the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 2. Restrict physical access to devices by securing server rooms, control cabinets, and other locations where the IoT Interface & CMC III Processing Units are installed. 3. Implement strict network segmentation and access controls to limit network exposure of these devices, especially restricting USB interface access where possible. 4. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual firmware upgrade attempts or USB device insertions. 5. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting unauthorized firmware modifications or anomalous device behavior. 6. Establish policies and procedures for secure firmware update processes, including verification of firmware authenticity and integrity before deployment. 7. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on industrial control systems and IoT devices to identify similar weaknesses. 8. Train staff on the risks associated with physical and network access to critical devices and the importance of following security protocols.