CVE-2011-3496 in ScadaPro
Summary
by MITRE
service.exe in Measuresoft ScadaPro 4.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) BF, (2) OF, or (3) EF command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3496 affects Measuresoft ScadaPro 4.0.0 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the service.exe component that handles industrial control system communications. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious commands on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the command processing mechanism of the SCADA software, which is widely used in industrial environments for supervisory control and data acquisition.
The technical flaw manifests through three specific command parameters: BF, OF, and EF, all of which accept user input without proper sanitization or validation. When these commands receive shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or other command chaining operators, the system fails to properly escape or filter these characters before processing them as part of system commands. This classic input validation issue creates a path for command injection attacks where an attacker can append arbitrary shell commands to the legitimate operations, effectively bypassing authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, representing command injection flaws that allow arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe in industrial control environments where SCADA systems manage critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing processes. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can remotely execute commands with the privileges of the service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical operations. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the facility, making it especially dangerous for industrial environments where security perimeters may be less strictly enforced. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under TA0002 (Execution) and TA0003 (Persistence), as attackers can establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads without detection.
Organizations utilizing Measuresoft ScadaPro should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to isolate SCADA systems, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command sequences. Additional defensive measures should include regular security assessments, network monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and implementing principle of least privilege for service accounts. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices in industrial control systems and demonstrates the importance of input validation in preventing command injection attacks that could compromise operational technology environments.