Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HSummary
CVE-2024-46603 is a high-severity Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611) vulnerability in Elspec-Ltd G5Dfr Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 50th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to CM-6 (Configuration Settings) and SA-11 (Developer Testing and Evaluation) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2024-46603 is an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability, classified under CWE-611, affecting Elspec Engineering G5 Digital Fault Recorder Firmware version 1.2.1.12. The flaw enables attackers to process malicious XML payloads, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) condition. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, rated as High severity, with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating network accessibility, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high impact on availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity.
Remote attackers without authentication can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted XML payload to the affected firmware. Successful exploitation disrupts the device's functionality, rendering the G5 Digital Fault Recorder unavailable and potentially impacting power system monitoring and fault recording operations in critical infrastructure environments.
Elspec Engineering provides details on this issue via their security advisory at https://www.elspec-ltd.com/support/security-advisories/. Security practitioners should consult this resource for recommended mitigations, such as firmware updates or configuration changes to address the XXE processing flaw.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-42198
Vulnerability Data
An XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Elspec Engineering G5 Digital Fault Recorder Firmware v1.2.1.12 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted XML payload.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V1.5.1V15.3.2
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Secure configuration settings can disable external entity processing in XML parsers.
Developer testing can discover XXE flaws through targeted XML parsing tests.
Input validation can reject or sanitize XML containing external entity references.
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.
Hardened XML parser configurations directly disable external entity resolution.
Secure SDLC practices include input validation and safe XML parser configuration that prevent XXE.
Vulnerability scanning can discover XXE flaws but does not prevent their introduction in code.
Patching eliminates XXE-vulnerable parser versions but is only one aspect of software maintenance.
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.
Security testing in development catches XXE via static analysis and dynamic XML fuzzing.
Vulnerability management identifies and patches XML libraries with unsafe default entity settings.
Secure development life cycle mandates input validation and entity handling that directly prevents XXE.
Application security requirements explicitly call for disabling external entity processing in XML parsers.
Secure architecture principles include safe parser configuration that mitigates external entity risks.
Secure coding standards require disabling DTDs and external entities in XML processing.