CVE-2024-55545 identifies a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web interface of the ORing IAP-420 industrial networking device, specifically in versions 2.01e and earlier. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), which allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into the web interface. When a victim user accesses a crafted URL or interacts with malicious content, the injected script executes in their browser context. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized commands executed with the victim’s privileges. The vulnerability requires no prior authentication (AV:N, PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:A), such as clicking a malicious link. The impact on confidentiality and availability is high due to potential exposure of sensitive data and disruption of device operations. The vulnerability affects network-exposed management interfaces, increasing the attack surface. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the device’s role in industrial network environments. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates low attack complexity and no privileges required, emphasizing the ease of exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on ORing IAP-420 devices for critical infrastructure connectivity and monitoring.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2024-55545 can result in unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, session hijacking of administrative users, and potential disruption of industrial network management. Given that ORing IAP-420 devices are used in industrial automation and critical infrastructure sectors, successful attacks could compromise operational integrity and availability, leading to production downtime or safety risks. Confidentiality breaches may expose network configurations or credentials, facilitating further lateral movement by attackers. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits mass exploitation but targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective. The vulnerability’s network accessibility increases risk, especially in environments where device management interfaces are exposed or insufficiently segmented. European entities in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and utilities using these devices face heightened risk, potentially impacting national critical infrastructure resilience.

1. Monitor ORing’s official channels for security patches addressing CVE-2024-55545 and apply updates promptly once available. 2. Restrict access to the IAP-420 web interface by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit management interface exposure to trusted networks only. 3. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with XSS detection and prevention capabilities to filter malicious input targeting the device’s web interface. 4. Educate users and administrators about phishing risks and the dangers of clicking untrusted links that could trigger XSS payloads. 5. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for device management interfaces where supported to reduce risk from compromised sessions. 6. Regularly audit device configurations and logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted exploitation. 7. Consider alternative secure management methods such as VPN tunnels or out-of-band management to reduce direct exposure of the web interface. 8. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers if configurable on the device to mitigate script injection impacts.