CVE-2011-2960 in ForceControl
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in httpsvr.exe 6.0.5.3 in Sunway ForceControl 6.1 SP1, SP2, and SP3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2960 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in the httpsvr.exe component of Sunway ForceControl 6.1 software versions. This issue affects multiple service packs including SP1, SP2, and SP3, indicating a persistent flaw that was not adequately addressed through the software update cycles. The vulnerability resides within the web server functionality of the ForceControl system, which is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for network security management and monitoring purposes. The affected httpsvr.exe process operates as a critical component handling HTTP requests and responses, making it a prime target for remote exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the URL parsing mechanism of the web server component. When processing crafted URLs containing maliciously constructed data, the httpsvr.exe application fails to properly bounds-check heap memory allocations, leading to a buffer overflow condition. This heap corruption occurs during the processing of user-supplied input through the HTTP protocol, where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests when the web server encounters malformed URL parameters or specially crafted request strings that trigger the overflow condition in the heap memory management routines. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification, which is categorized as a critical weakness in memory safety.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to crash the httpsvr.exe process, resulting in complete service disruption for the ForceControl system and potentially rendering the entire network monitoring infrastructure unavailable. The remote exploitation nature of this flaw means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests containing maliciously crafted URLs, allowing attackers to remotely compromise the affected system. This represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure, as ForceControl systems are typically deployed in critical network monitoring and security management roles. The potential for arbitrary code execution through this vulnerability places organizations at risk of complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest available patches from Sunway, if any exist, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable httpsvr.exe service. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict HTTP traffic to only trusted sources, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in server applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this vulnerability type. The remediation approach should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.