CVE-2024-7396 identifies a vulnerability in the Korenix JetPort 5601v3, a device commonly used for industrial network connectivity. The vulnerability stems from CWE-311, which is the missing encryption of sensitive data during transmission. Specifically, the device fails to encrypt sensitive information, allowing an attacker with network access to eavesdrop on communications. The vulnerability affects firmware versions through 1.2. According to the CVSS 4.0 vector, the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:P). The impact is high on confidentiality (VC:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. This means attackers can intercept sensitive data but cannot modify or disrupt device operations. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been released yet. The lack of encryption could expose credentials, configuration data, or operational commands, which could be leveraged for further attacks or reconnaissance. The device is often deployed in industrial and critical infrastructure environments, increasing the potential impact. The vulnerability was published on August 5, 2024, and assigned by CyberDanube. The absence of a patch necessitates immediate compensating controls to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive operational data. Exposure of unencrypted data could lead to industrial espionage, unauthorized access to network configurations, or preparation for more advanced attacks. Since the JetPort 5601v3 is used to bridge or connect industrial networks, interception of data could reveal network topologies, credentials, or control commands. This could undermine trust in operational technology (OT) environments and potentially lead to regulatory non-compliance regarding data protection. The lack of integrity and availability impact limits immediate operational disruption, but the confidentiality breach alone can have severe long-term consequences. European organizations with interconnected IT and OT networks are particularly vulnerable, as attackers could pivot from intercepted data to broader network compromise.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all Korenix JetPort 5601v3 devices in the network. 2. Segment these devices on isolated VLANs or physically separate networks to limit exposure. 3. Deploy encrypted tunnels such as IPsec VPNs or TLS-based VPNs around the device communications to compensate for missing native encryption. 4. Implement strict network monitoring and intrusion detection systems focused on unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized sniffing attempts near these devices. 5. Restrict network access to the JetPort devices to trusted hosts only, using firewall rules and access control lists. 6. Engage with Korenix for firmware updates or patches and plan for timely deployment once available. 7. Educate users about the risk of interacting with affected devices and enforce policies to minimize unnecessary user interaction that could facilitate exploitation. 8. Consider replacing devices with more secure alternatives if encryption cannot be assured in the short term.