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PHOENIX CONTACT: Security Advisory for Automation Worx Software Suite

VDE-2021-020
Last update
05/14/2025 14:28
Published at
06/23/2021 13:10
Vendor(s)
Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
External ID
VDE-2021-020
CSAF Document
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Summary

Manipulated PC Worx or Config+ projects could lead to a remote code execution when unallocated memory is freed because of incompletely initialized data (CWE-824).
The attacker needs to get access to an original bus configuration file (*.bcp) to be able to manipulate data inside. After manipulation the attacker needs to exchange the original file by the manipulated one on the application programming workstation.

Impact

Availability, integrity, or confidentiality of an application programming workstation might be compromised by attacks using these vulnerabilities.
Automated systems in operation which were programmed with one of the above-mentioned products are not affected.

Affected Product(s)

Model no. Product name Affected versions
Config + <=1.87 Config + <=1.87
PC Worx <=1.87 PC Worx <=1.87
PC Worx Express <=1.87 PC Worx Express <=1.87

Vulnerabilities

Expand / Collapse all

Published
09/22/2025 14:57
Severity
7 CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
Access of Uninitialized Pointer (CWE-824)
Summary

Phoenix Contact Classic Automation Worx Software Suite in Version 1.87 and below is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability. Manipulated PC Worx or Config+ projects could lead to a remote code execution when unallocated memory is freed because of incompletely initialized data. The attacker needs to get access to an original bus configuration file (*.bcp) to be able to manipulate data inside. After manipulation the attacker needs to exchange the original file by the manipulated one on the application programming workstation. Availability, integrity, or confidentiality of an application programming workstation might be compromised by attacks using these vulnerabilities. Automated systems in operation which were programmed with one of the above-mentioned products are not affected.

References
cve.org | nvd.nist.gov

Mitigation

We strongly recommend customers to exchange project files only using secure file exchange services. Project files should not be exchanged via unencrypted email.

Remediation

With the next version of Automationworx Software Suite the affected data will be initialized completely and thereby freeing of unallocated memory will be prevented.

Revision History

Version Date Summary
1 06/23/2021 13:10 Initial revision.
2 02/10/2025 10:00 Update: Provider data has been corrected
3 05/14/2025 14:28 Fix: version space, added distribution