CVE-2011-1564 in RealWin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the HMI application in DATAC RealFlex RealWin 2.1 (Build 6.1.10.10) and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted (1) On_FC_MISC_FCS_MSGBROADCAST and (2) On_FC_MISC_FCS_MSGSEND packets, which trigger a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1564 represents a critical security flaw in DATAC RealFlex RealWin 2.1 and earlier versions that exposes the HMI application to remote code execution attacks. This issue stems from multiple integer overflows within the application's handling of specific network packets, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise systems remotely. The vulnerability specifically targets two packet types: On_FC_MISC_FCS_MSGBROADCAST and On_FC_MISC_FCS_MSGSEND, which are part of the application's communication protocols designed for industrial control systems and human machine interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that occur when processing incoming network packets, leading to heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. When these packets are received and processed by the vulnerable HMI application, the integer overflows cause memory allocation calculations to produce incorrect buffer sizes, ultimately resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for industrial environments that rely on DATAC RealFlex systems for critical infrastructure monitoring and control. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially disrupting operations, accessing sensitive data, or executing malicious code that could compromise entire industrial networks. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the systems, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for operational technology environments where security boundaries may be less strictly enforced.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation within industrial control systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning for critical infrastructure sectors including energy, manufacturing, and water treatment facilities where DATAC RealFlex systems are commonly deployed. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching to the latest available versions of the software, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in industrial control system applications, where the consequences of security flaws can extend beyond traditional information technology environments to impact physical processes and safety systems. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize upgrading to patched releases while implementing network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems and firewall rules to block unauthorized access to the vulnerable application ports. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system environments.
This vulnerability also highlights the need for robust software security practices in industrial environments, where legacy systems often lack modern security features and may contain unpatched vulnerabilities that persist for years. The integer overflow issue represents a classic security flaw that could have been prevented through proper code review processes, static analysis tools, and adherence to secure coding standards that are essential for protecting critical infrastructure from sophisticated cyber threats.