Attention Windows users and system admins! If your organization uses ABB's ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, or MATRIX series devices for control systems, it's time to shift into high gear. These products are now revealed to have multiple alarming vulnerabilities that could open doors to exploiting remotely, causing disruption, leaking sensitive information, and even resulting in unauthorized control! And yes, one of these vulnerabilities scores a jaw-dropping CVSS v3 severity rating of 10.0, meaning it's as critical as critical gets. Intrigued? Let’s dive in and unpack this cyber avalanche.
ABB's NEXUS, MATRIX, and ASPECT-Enterprise products play critical roles in operational technology (OT) infrastructure, such as industrial control system settings. However, with great power comes…well…gaping security holes. These vulnerabilities come in bundles, ranging from improper input validation to dangerous file uploads, all culminating in a recipe for catastrophe if left unpatched.
Here are some of the headliner vulnerabilities (brace yourselves—it’s an extensive list):
Older versions (<=3.07.02) are extra-vulnerable, particularly for CVE entries related to default credentials, CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery), and SQL injection flaws. If you're working on legacy software, patching is critical now.
Let’s pause for a moment to break down a few fancy-sounding terms—because not everyone dreams in cross-site scripting and remote file inclusion.
ABB products are used across industries and critical infrastructure worldwide. While the vulnerabilities might seem "technical," their implications are far-reaching:
The ABB ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX vulnerabilities are another pointed reminder of how crucial active patch management is. To everyone running any ICS-dependent operation: treat this as your call to action, not a drill. As for the cybercriminals? They're never on vacation.
What are you doing to protect your ICS/Windows systems? Let’s discuss on the forum! Share your strategies and challenges below.
Stay patched, stay safe, and remember: Cybersecurity isn’t just an option—it’s a duty.
Source: CISA ABB ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX Series Products | CISA
Key Highlights That You Need to Know
- Vendor: ABB
- Products Affected: ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, MATRIX lines (specific details below).
- Exploitability: Many vulnerabilities are remotely exploitable with low attack complexity, making them ripe for attackers to pounce on even without advanced skills.
- Severity: The vulnerabilities span the gamut from server-side request forgery (SSRF) and SQL injection to default credentials and code injection.
- Endgame for Threat Actors: Disrupting operations, executing remote code, exposing sensitive data, and even full device or system takeover.
The Vulnerabilities: What’s Really Happening Here?
ABB's NEXUS, MATRIX, and ASPECT-Enterprise products play critical roles in operational technology (OT) infrastructure, such as industrial control system settings. However, with great power comes…well…gaping security holes. These vulnerabilities come in bundles, ranging from improper input validation to dangerous file uploads, all culminating in a recipe for catastrophe if left unpatched.Here are some of the headliner vulnerabilities (brace yourselves—it’s an extensive list):
Top Vulnerability Breakdown
- Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties (CWE-552)
Impact: Unauthorized file access via the web server allows attackers to grab files they shouldn’t have access to. - CVE-2024-6209
- CVSS Score: 10.0
- Risk: Exploitable without requiring authentication (open season for attackers).
- Think about it: Imagine sensitive server configuration files being plucked out remotely as easily as picking apples from a tree.
- Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input (CWE-1287)
Impact: Poor input validation leads to Remote File Inclusion (RFI), essentially allowing malicious files to run rampant. - CVE-2024-6298
- CVSS Score: 10.0
- Risk: This flaw enables attackers to execute foreign scripts or programs.
- Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information (CWE-319)
Issue: Credentials (username/password) exposed via clear text or basic encoding, easily leaving systems vulnerable to interception or brute-force cracking. - CVE-2024-6515
- CVSS Score: 9.6
- Code Injection (CWE-94)
Yup, this is the nuclear bomb of vulnerabilities—a malicious party can inject unauthorized code remotely. - CVE-2024-48839 & CVE-2024-48840
- CVSS Score: 10.0
- Risk: Full remote code execution—no questions asked.
- Default Passwords and Weak Hashing (CWE-1393 & CWE-328)
- Systems ship with default credentials still active (the Achilles' heel of many security setups).
- Weak MD5 hash algorithms mean passwords and security checkpoints are as brittle as a dry leaf.
- Allocation of Resources Without Throttling (CWE-770)
This vulnerability could be used for denial-of-service attacks, making devices inaccessible. - CVE-2024-48844
Affected Products
Let’s simplify this chaos by categorizing the product and version vulnerabilities: | Product Family | Versions Affected |
---|---|---|
ABB NEXUS Series | NEXUS-3-x <= 3.08.02, NEX-2x <= 3.08.02 | |
ABB ASPECT-Enterprise | ASP-ENT-x <= 3.08.02 | |
ABB MATRIX Series | MAT-x <= 3.08.02 |

Decoding How These Vulnerabilities Work
Let’s pause for a moment to break down a few fancy-sounding terms—because not everyone dreams in cross-site scripting and remote file inclusion.- Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF):
Think of this as tricking the server into pulling the attacker’s data instead of its own. An attacker could instruct the server to make hidden HTTP requests into restricted areas, exposing sensitive endpoints. - SQL Injection (SQLi):
Hackers take poorly sanitized user input and insert malicious SQL queries, leading to data breaches. Imagine someone sneaking into your house because there’s no proper gate latching. - Unrestricted File Uploads:
Attackers can upload malicious files (look: a stealthy virus upload disguised as a .jpg!) if file type filters or validations are weak. - Cleartext Transmission:
Ever shouted your Gmail password in a crowded elevator? This is a digital equivalent, exposing secrets via unsecured communication. Any device intercepting the network traffic can crack these sensitive credentials.
Mitigations and Recommendations
Steps from ABB and CISA
Fortunately, ABB has been quick to roll out patches addressing these concerns. Here's what you need to do:- Install Updates:
Upgrade ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX products to their latest firmware versions. Patches for affected versions (e.g., 3.08.00 to 3.08.03) are now available. - Network Security Practices:
- Place critical industrial systems behind firewalls.
- Avoid direct Internet exposure of industrial control system (ICS) devices.
- Use VPNs for secure remote access (but keep them updated too!).
- Disable Default Credentials ASAP:
Check every nook and cranny for usernames like “admin/admin” or “root/password.” And yes, there’s no excuse for default settings.
General Cybersecurity Steps You Can Implement Now
Until you apply the patches:- Conduct a Full Vulnerability Assessment: Stop guessing! Scan systems to identify flaws in configurations.
- Enable Device Throttling: Block excessive resource usage so attackers can’t flood (DoS) your devices.
- Practice Defense-in-Depth: Layers upon layers of security help. No perimeter? No problem—load up strong endpoint security!
Why This Matters Universally
ABB products are used across industries and critical infrastructure worldwide. While the vulnerabilities might seem "technical," their implications are far-reaching:- Nationwide Critical Infrastructure: Energy grids, transportation networks, and manufacturing hubs could take a gigantic hit.
- Blow to Reputation: Public-facing operations risk going offline, and businesses face potentially millions in damages post-breach.
Final Thoughts
The ABB ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX vulnerabilities are another pointed reminder of how crucial active patch management is. To everyone running any ICS-dependent operation: treat this as your call to action, not a drill. As for the cybercriminals? They're never on vacation.What are you doing to protect your ICS/Windows systems? Let’s discuss on the forum! Share your strategies and challenges below.
Stay patched, stay safe, and remember: Cybersecurity isn’t just an option—it’s a duty.

Source: CISA ABB ASPECT-Enterprise, NEXUS, and MATRIX Series Products | CISA
Last edited: