CVE-2011-0340 in Web Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the ISSymbol ActiveX control in ISSymbol.ocx 61.6.0.0 and 301.1009.2904.0 in the ISSymbol virtual machine, as distributed in Advantech Studio 6.1 SP6 61.6.01.05, InduSoft Web Studio before 7.0+SP1, and InduSoft Thin Client 7.0, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) InternationalOrder, (2) InternationalSeparator, or (3) LogFileName property value; or (4) a long bstrFileName argument to the OpenScreen method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0340 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the ISSymbol ActiveX control component of several industrial automation software products. This flaw exists in the ISSymbol.ocx version 61.6.0.0 and 301.1009.2904.0 distributed as part of Advantech Studio 6.1 SP6, InduSoft Web Studio prior to version 7.0+SP1, and InduSoft Thin Client 7.0. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the ActiveX control's property handling and method execution routines. The issue manifests when the control processes user-supplied data through four distinct attack vectors including the InternationalOrder, InternationalSeparator, and LogFileName properties, as well as the bstrFileName argument in the OpenScreen method. These properties and methods lack proper bounds checking, allowing maliciously crafted input data to overflow allocated memory buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages fundamental buffer overflow principles where attackers can craft specially formatted input strings exceeding the allocated buffer space. When the ISSymbol ActiveX control processes these oversized strings, the memory corruption results in unpredictable program behavior and provides attackers with the opportunity to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems environments where these components are commonly deployed, as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. The attack surface extends across multiple industrial automation platforms, making it a significant concern for operational technology environments that rely on these specific software versions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to industrial control systems and SCADA environments where the affected software components are deployed. The remote code execution capability enables attackers to gain complete control over systems running vulnerable versions of Advantech Studio or InduSoft Web Studio, potentially leading to unauthorized system modifications, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical industrial processes. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product lines and versions increases the attack surface significantly, making it attractive to threat actors targeting industrial infrastructure. Security professionals should note that the exploitation requires no specialized knowledge of industrial protocols or systems, as the vulnerability exists within the standard ActiveX control execution environment. The flaw's classification under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, indicates that the memory corruption occurs in stack memory regions that are commonly targeted by attackers due to their predictable nature and accessibility.
The attack vectors identified in this vulnerability align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation via code execution. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the target systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching affected software versions, applying network segmentation measures to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions suggests that organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all potentially affected systems. Additionally, the use of application whitelisting policies and ActiveX control restrictions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security practices in industrial environments where legacy software components may continue to operate without regular updates or security assessments.