OTPulse

Kieback&Peter DDC4000 Series

Plan PatchCVSS 9.8ICS-CERT ICSA-24-291-05Oct 17, 2024
Attack path
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Kieback&Peter DDC4000 Series digital controllers contain authentication bypass vulnerabilities (CWE-22, CWE-522, CWE-1391) that allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain full administrator rights on the system. DDC4002, DDC4100, DDC4200, DDC4200-L, and DDC4400 are End-of-Life products with no vendor fix planned. DDC4020e and DDC4040e controllers have been patched in firmware v1.21.0 or later. DDC4002e, DDC4200e, and DDC4400e status for patching was not explicitly stated in the advisory.

What this means
What could happen
An unauthenticated attacker with network access to a DDC4000 Series controller could gain full administrator rights and modify building automation logic, potentially disrupting heating, cooling, and ventilation systems that support facility operations.
Who's at risk
Building automation and facility management operators running Kieback&Peter DDC4000 Series digital controllers. These devices are widely used in commercial buildings, hospitals, universities, and industrial facilities to control HVAC, lighting, and other building systems. EOL products (DDC4002, DDC4100, DDC4200, DDC4200-L, DDC4400) are at highest risk; newer supported models (DDC4020e, DDC4040e, DDC4002e, DDC4200e, DDC4400e) can be patched.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the network sends a specially crafted request to the controller's management interface without providing credentials. The vulnerability allows the attacker to bypass authentication and gain full administrative access, enabling them to change control parameters, disable safety interlocks, or halt operations.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the DDC4000 device management interface (typically port 80/443 or vendor-specific port)
  • Device must be reachable from attacker's network segment (direct or through lateral movement)
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityno patch available for majority of product line (EOL)affects critical building systems
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.8%
Affected products (10)
2 with fix8 EOL
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
DDC4002: <=1.12.14≤ 1.12.14No fix (EOL)
DDC4002e: <=1.17.6≤ 1.17.6No fix (EOL)
DDC4200-L: <=1.12.14≤ 1.12.14No fix (EOL)
DDC4200e: <=1.17.6≤ 1.17.6No fix (EOL)
DDC4100: <=1.7.4≤ 1.7.4No fix (EOL)
DDC4200: <=1.12.14≤ 1.12.14No fix (EOL)
DDC4400: <=1.12.14≤ 1.12.14No fix (EOL)
DDC4400e: <=1.17.6≤ 1.17.6No fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/2
WORKAROUNDFor EOL products (DDC4002, DDC4100, DDC4200, DDC4200-L, DDC4400): Restrict network access to the management interface to trusted engineering workstations only using firewall rules
HARDENINGEnsure the building automation network is not accessible from the internet or untrusted networks
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXFor DDC4020e and DDC4040e: Update firmware to version 1.21.0 or later
Long-term hardening
0/1
HOTFIXFor EOL products: Plan migration to supported DDC4020e, DDC4040e, or DDC4002e/DDC4200e/DDC4400e controllers
Mitigations - no patch available
0/1
The following products have reached End of Life with no planned fix: DDC4002: <=1.12.14, DDC4002e: <=1.17.6, DDC4200-L: <=1.12.14, DDC4200e: <=1.17.6, DDC4100: <=1.7.4, DDC4200: <=1.12.14, DDC4400: <=1.12.14, DDC4400e: <=1.17.6. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGFor all DDC4000 controllers: Isolate the building automation network from the corporate IT network using a firewall or air gap
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/69b878a5-a1c7-49b7-8cbe-81202d99c526

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