CVE-2011-2089 in GENESIS32
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the SetActiveXGUID method in the VersionInfo ActiveX control in GenVersion.dll 8.0.138.0 in the WebHMI subsystem in ICONICS BizViz 9.x before 9.22 and GENESIS32 9.x before 9.22 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the argument. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2011-2089 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the VersionInfo ActiveX control in ICONICS BizViz and GENESIS32 software versions prior to 9.22. This flaw exists within the GenVersion.dll component with version 8.0.138.0 in the WebHMI subsystem, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the SetActiveXGUID method where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject excessively long strings that overflow the allocated stack buffer. Such buffer overflows fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector leverages ActiveX controls which are typically deployed in web browsers or web-based applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might browse untrusted websites or encounter malicious web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the SetActiveXGUID method through a specially crafted argument containing an excessively long string. When the ActiveX control processes this malformed input, the stack buffer allocated for handling the GUID string becomes overwritten, potentially corrupting the return address of the calling function and allowing attackers to redirect program execution. This type of memory corruption vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. The impact is particularly severe because ActiveX controls often run with elevated privileges in web browsers, potentially enabling attackers to execute malicious code with system-level access. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, as the flaw can be triggered through web-based attacks or malicious websites that load the vulnerable ActiveX control.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2089 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems running vulnerable versions of ICONICS BizViz or GENESIS32 software. Organizations utilizing these industrial automation platforms face significant risk, particularly in operational technology environments where system integrity and availability are paramount. The vulnerability's presence in the WebHMI subsystem indicates that it affects web-based interfaces commonly used for industrial monitoring and control, making it especially dangerous for critical infrastructure deployments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive industrial data, disrupt operations, or even manipulate industrial processes through the execution of malicious code. The exploitability of this vulnerability through web-based attacks means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation to protect against it, as the attack surface includes web browsers and ActiveX-enabled environments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader industrial control system security assessments, particularly in environments where legacy software versions persist without proper patch management protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation controls to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in ActiveX components and other software modules.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to ICONICS BizViz 9.22 or later versions and GENESIS32 9.22 or later, which contain patches addressing this specific buffer overflow flaw. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security restrictions that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls or disable ActiveX support entirely in environments where the vulnerable software is not strictly required. The implementation of input validation controls and bounds checking should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other ActiveX components or software modules. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual ActiveX control behavior or malformed input patterns. System administrators should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls or legacy software components that may present similar security risks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial automation processes while maintaining the security posture of the operational technology infrastructure.