CVE-2011-1566 in IGSS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in dc.exe 9.00.00.11059 and earlier in 7-Technologies Interactive Graphical SCADA System (IGSS) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs via ..\ (dot dot backslash) sequences in opcodes (1) 0xa and (2) 0x17 to TCP port 12397.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The CVE-2011-1566 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the 7-Technologies Interactive Graphical SCADA System (IGSS) dc.exe component version 9.00.00.11059 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects industrial control systems that rely on SCADA architecture for monitoring and control operations across critical infrastructure sectors. The flaw exists within the communication protocol implementation that handles opcode processing on TCP port 12397, which serves as the primary interface for remote system access and configuration management. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path resolution mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specifically crafted opcode sequences with values 0xa and 0x17, which are processed by the dc.exe service when communicating over TCP port 12397. Attackers can leverage the ..\ (dot dot backslash) directory traversal pattern to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files or execute programs on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in access control and input validation. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, configuration files, or execute malicious code with the privileges of the running service.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1566 is particularly severe in industrial environments where SCADA systems control critical infrastructure such as power generation, water treatment, manufacturing processes, and transportation systems. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt operations, compromise system integrity, or gain persistent access to industrial control networks. The vulnerability affects the core communication protocol of the IGSS system, making it a high-value target for adversaries seeking to compromise industrial control systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows remote code execution through protocol exploitation and command execution capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the IGSS software to version 9.00.00.11060 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to TCP port 12397, limiting the attack surface to only authorized management systems. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the dc.exe service with minimal required permissions and ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to the system. Additionally, network monitoring should be deployed to detect suspicious traffic patterns involving the vulnerable opcodes 0xa and 0x17, which would indicate potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their SCADA systems and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to address similar weaknesses in industrial control system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in industrial control system protocols and the need for robust security measures in environments where system integrity directly impacts public safety and infrastructure operations.