CVE-2011-2214 in IGSS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) component in 7T Interactive Graphical SCADA System (IGSS) before 9.0.0.11143 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet to TCP port 20222, which triggers memory corruption related to an "invalid structure being used."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2214 resides within the Open Database Connectivity component of the 7T Interactive Graphical SCADA System IGSS software. This critical security flaw affects versions prior to 9.0.0.11143 and presents a significant remote code execution risk. The vulnerability manifests when a specially crafted packet is transmitted to TCP port 20222, which serves as the communication endpoint for the affected SCADA system. This particular port represents a network service interface that facilitates database connectivity operations within the industrial control system environment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise operational technology infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of data structures within the ODBC component, specifically involving what is termed an "invalid structure being used" during memory corruption scenarios. This type of memory corruption vulnerability typically occurs when software fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it within memory structures. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running SCADA application. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution, and more specifically align with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical network security concerns, particularly within industrial environments where SCADA systems control critical infrastructure operations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially disrupting operations, modifying critical data, or even causing physical damage to industrial processes. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the facility, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure sectors such as power generation, water treatment, manufacturing, and other industrial operations. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which describes exploitation of remote services for initial access and privilege escalation within operational technology environments.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of IGSS should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the affected systems from general network access, firewall rules to restrict access to TCP port 20222, and network monitoring to detect suspicious packet patterns. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to version 9.0.0.11143 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory corruption vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for malformed ODBC packets and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and implementing proper network security controls to protect against remote code execution attacks targeting operational technology infrastructure.