CVE-2011-0342 in Web Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the InduSoft ISSymbol ActiveX control in ISSymbol.ocx 301.1104.601.0 in InduSoft Web Studio 7.0B2 hotfix 7.0.01.04 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long parameter to the (1) Open, (2) Close, or (3) SetCurrentLanguage method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0342 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the InduSoft ISSymbol ActiveX control, specifically affecting version 301.1104.601.0 of ISSymbol.ocx in InduSoft Web Studio 7.0B2 hotfix 7.0.01.04. This vulnerability resides in the ActiveX component that is commonly used in industrial automation and SCADA systems, making it particularly concerning for operational technology environments where system integrity and security are paramount. The flaw manifests in three distinct methods of the ActiveX control: Open, Close, and SetCurrentLanguage, all of which accept parameters that can trigger the buffer overflow condition when excessively long input is provided.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The buffer overflow occurs when the ActiveX control processes input parameters without adequate validation of their length, enabling an attacker to supply malformed data that exceeds the allocated buffer space. This condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where the overflow can overwrite critical program execution elements such as return addresses, function pointers, or stack canaries, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical desktop computing environments into industrial control systems where InduSoft Web Studio is commonly deployed for building automation and process control applications. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on systems running vulnerable versions, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data manipulation, or disruption of critical industrial processes. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in network-connected industrial environments. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries may leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected InduSoft Web Studio installation to the latest available version that addresses the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable ActiveX controls, particularly in industrial environments where these components may be exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, browser security configurations should be adjusted to restrict ActiveX control loading or disable ActiveX altogether where possible. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for components that handle external inputs in industrial automation contexts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of ActiveX control usage or attempts to load vulnerable components, as part of broader industrial cybersecurity defense-in-depth strategies that align with frameworks such as NIST SP 800-80 and IEC 62443 standards for industrial automation security.