CVE-2011-4043 in PcVue
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in an unspecified ActiveX control in SVUIGrd.ocx in ARC Informatique PcVue 6.0 through 10.0, FrontVue, and PlantVue allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large value for an integer parameter, leading to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4043 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the SVUIGrd.ocx ActiveX control component of ARC Informatique's PcVue software suite. This issue affects multiple versions ranging from 6.0 through 10.0, including the FrontVue and PlantVue products, making it a widespread concern across various industrial automation platforms. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker provides an excessively large integer value as a parameter to the ActiveX control, which then triggers an integer overflow condition that ultimately results in a buffer overflow scenario. The integer overflow occurs in the handling of user-supplied data within the ActiveX control's internal processing mechanisms, specifically within the buffer management functions that fail to properly validate the size parameters before performing memory allocation operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in integer arithmetic handling where a large input value causes the integer to exceed its maximum representable value, wrapping around to a much smaller value. This overflow condition directly impacts the buffer allocation logic, allowing an attacker to specify a buffer size that, when processed, results in insufficient memory allocation for the intended operation. The resulting buffer overflow creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as the overflowed memory region can be manipulated to overwrite critical program execution structures including return addresses or function pointers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in software security practices according to the CWE standard.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for complete system compromise within environments that utilize the affected PcVue software products. Industrial control systems and SCADA environments that deploy these applications become particularly vulnerable since they often operate in isolated networks where such exploits may go undetected for extended periods. The attack surface is significantly broadened by the ActiveX control's integration into web-based interfaces and the widespread use of these automation tools across various industrial sectors including manufacturing, power generation, and process control systems. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for execution through scriptlets and potentially T1203 for exploitation of remote services, depending on how the attack vector is implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4043 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates, as well as network-level defenses to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control restrictions in browser environments and consider disabling unnecessary ActiveX components entirely. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow prevention techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive code review processes that include static analysis tools to identify similar issues in legacy software components. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential integer overflow vulnerabilities within industrial control system applications.