External risk intelligence

Hirschmann HiEOS Authentication Bypass Via HTTP Management Module

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.3)

CVE-2024-14034

The vulnerability exists in the HTTP(S) management module of network infrastructure devices. Such management interfaces are commonly exposed to administrative networks or, in some deployment patterns, directly reachable via the internet, making them a common target for remote access and configuration management.

Authentication Bypass

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory details a critical vulnerability in Hirschmann HiEOS devices, specifically within their HTTP(S) management module. An unauthenticated remote attacker could bypass authentication to gain administrative control, potentially altering configurations or firmware. The primary concern is to determine if these specific devices are in use and, if so, to confirm their exposure.

Bypasses device security for full control.
Impacts industrial control and network management.
Confirm relevance and exposure immediately.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated attacker could remotely access a Hirschmann HiEOS device's management interface by sending specially crafted requests. This bypasses the need for login credentials, granting the attacker administrative privileges. With these elevated rights, the attacker could then download or upload configurations and modify the device's firmware.

No authentication required for entry.
Specially crafted HTTP(S) requests trigger vulnerability.
Administrative access and unauthorized actions are possible.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

An authentication bypass vulnerability in the HTTP(S) management module of Hirschmann HiEOS devices could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to gain administrative access. This access could be used to download or upload configurations, or modify firmware, when the management interface is accessible.

Device configuration and firmware.
Unauthenticated HTTP(S) requests.
Unauthorized administrative control.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Real-world action for this vulnerability likely involves network and infrastructure teams, as well as potentially vendor management if the affected devices are managed by a third party. The first practical step is to identify all Hirschmann HiEOS devices within your environment, determine their network exposure and criticality, and confirm the responsible team or individual accountable for their maintenance and security. Once ownership is established, a risk-based remediation plan can be developed, considering factors like the device's role in the network and potential impact of exploitation.

Infrastructure and security teams own the remediation.
Verify device exposure and criticality first.
Plan and coordinate maintenance for fixes.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

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Frequently asked questions

What is Hirschmann HiEOS software?

Hirschmann HiEOS is the operating system powering specific Hirschmann networking devices. These devices are widely used in industrial environments to manage network traffic and communications. Because they act as the backbone for critical operations, their management interfaces are designed to control device settings, firmware updates, and overall configuration.

What does authentication bypass mean for CVE-2024-14034?

This vulnerability, classified as CWE-287, means the software's security mechanism for verifying a user's identity can be ignored. Normally, you must provide valid credentials to log in. In this case, an attacker can skip the login process entirely, effectively tricking the system into granting them full administrative rights without needing a username or password.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers this issue by sending specifically designed HTTP or HTTPS requests to the device's management module. It is important to note that this flaw requires the attacker to reach the management interface over the network. If the device management interface is logically segmented away from the network or is not accepting HTTP(S) traffic, the vulnerability cannot be triggered in that specific way.

Is my device at risk based on Halo Surface Signal?

Halo Surface Signal indicates a 'Likely' risk level for this CVE. This is because these management interfaces are often found on administrative networks and, in certain setups, can be reached directly via the internet. You should care about this if your Hirschmann HiEOS devices are positioned such that they could receive traffic from untrusted networks or the public internet.

What should I do first to address this?

Begin by creating an inventory of all Hirschmann HiEOS devices running in your environment. Once you have identified them, evaluate where each device sits on your network and whether its management interface is accessible. Determine who manages these specific assets, then coordinate with those teams to assess the risk and prepare for the necessary firmware updates or configuration changes provided by the vendor.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.