Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-46143

Phoenixcontact Automationworx Software Suite

Published
14 December 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
EPSS Score 0.0033 26th percentile
Risk Priority 57 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-46143 is a high-severity Download of Code Without Integrity Check (CWE-494) vulnerability in Phoenixcontact Automationworx Software Suite. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Supply Chain Compromise (T1195); ranked at the 26th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

Download of Code Without Integrity Check vulnerability in PHOENIX CONTACT classic line PLCs allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to modify some or all applications on a PLC.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1195 Supply Chain Compromise Initial Access
Adversaries may manipulate products or product delivery mechanisms prior to receipt by a final consumer for the purpose of data or system compromise.
T1072 Software Deployment Tools Execution
Adversaries may gain access to and use centralized software suites installed within an enterprise to execute commands and move laterally through the network.
T1195.001 Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools Initial Access
Adversaries may manipulate software dependencies and development tools prior to receipt by a final consumer for the purpose of data or system compromise.
T1195.002 Compromise Software Supply Chain Initial Access
Adversaries may manipulate application software prior to receipt by a final consumer for the purpose of data or system compromise.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-46144Same vendor: Phoenixcontact
CVE-2023-5592Same vendor: Phoenixcontact
CVE-2023-46141Same product: Phoenixcontact Automationworx Software Suite
CVE-2023-37864Same vendor: Phoenixcontact
CVE-2026-27180Shared CWE-494
CVE-2024-28850Shared CWE-494
CVE-2025-69263Shared CWE-494
CVE-2026-13433Shared CWE-494
CVE-2024-39348Shared CWE-494
CVE-2023-29401Shared CWE-494

Affected Assets

phoenixcontact
automationworx software suite
all versions
phoenixcontact
axc 1050 firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
axc 1050 xc firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
axc 3050 firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
config\+
all versions
phoenixcontact
fc 350 pci eth firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
ilc1x0 firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
ilc1x1 firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
ilc 3xx firmware
all versions
phoenixcontact
pc worx
all versions
+8 more product configuration(s) — see NVD for full list

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 9 hardening rules · 5 OS baselines
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-494

Policies can require integrity verification of software prior to installation, reducing risks from unverified downloads.

addresses: CWE-494

Blocks installation of components lacking a valid signature, mitigating download or installation of code without integrity checks.

addresses: CWE-494

Acquisition and maintenance portions of the strategy drive requirements for integrity verification of downloaded or supplied code.

addresses: CWE-494

Mandating integrity control and approved-only changes during development prevents incorporation of code or components lacking integrity validation.

addresses: CWE-494

Supply chain protection requires integrity verification of acquired components, directly reducing insertion or tampering of malicious code during delivery.

addresses: CWE-494

Reduces exposure to code obtained without integrity verification by requiring assurance processes that confirm authenticity and absence of tampering.

addresses: CWE-494

Tamper resistance and detection commonly include integrity verification of code and firmware obtained from external sources.

addresses: CWE-494

Component authenticity requires verifying origin/integrity of acquired firmware or software, directly preventing inclusion of code without integrity checks.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

ID.RA-09 full match
prevents

Directly requires assessing authenticity/integrity of software before acquisition and use, preventing unverified downloads.

PR.DS-02 mostly match
prevents

Requires cryptographic integrity protections (signatures/hashes) for data-in-transit, covering downloaded code.

PR.PS-05 mostly match
prevents

Prevents execution of unauthorized software, blocking the outcome of an unchecked download.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

prevents

Mandating integrity checks, digital signatures, and origin tracing for ICT components directly reduces the chance that code or firmware lacking an integrity check will be accepted into the organisation’s environment.

none

Requiring suppliers to disclose vulnerabilities and mandating verified updates lowers the chance that code lacking integrity checks will be deployed.

Hardening callouts derived

Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).

Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
  • V-248575 OL 8 must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components of local packages without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. prevents CWE-494
Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
  • V-271524 OL 9 must check the GPG signature of software packages originating from external software repositories before installation. prevents CWE-494
RHEL 7 (2 rules)
  • V-204447 The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components from a repository without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. prevents CWE-494
  • V-204448 The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components of local packages without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. prevents CWE-494
RHEL 8 (1 rule)
  • V-230264 RHEL 8 must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components from a repository without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. prevents CWE-494
RHEL 9 (1 rule)
  • V-257820 RHEL 9 must check the GPG signature of software packages originating from external software repositories before installation. prevents CWE-494

References