CVE-2011-4045 in PcVue
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in an unspecified ActiveX control in aipgctl.ocx in ARC Informatique PcVue 6.0 through 10.0, FrontVue, and PlantVue allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4045 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ActiveX control component of ARC Informatique's PcVue software suite. This issue affects multiple versions ranging from 6.0 through 10.0 including FrontVue and PlantVue applications, making it a widespread concern across various industrial automation platforms. The vulnerability specifically resides in the aipgctl.ocx ActiveX control which is designed to facilitate communication and data handling within these industrial monitoring and control systems. The flaw manifests when the control processes specially crafted HTML documents that contain malicious buffer overflow payloads, allowing remote attackers to exploit this weakness from external network locations without requiring local system access or authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's memory management routines. When the aipgctl.ocx component receives malformed data through HTML documents, it fails to properly bounds-check buffer allocations, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of user-supplied input through the ActiveX control interface, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where these applications are often deployed without proper network segmentation or security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise entire industrial control systems. In industrial automation environments, PcVue applications are frequently used for monitoring and controlling critical infrastructure, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge. This vulnerability could enable attackers to cause significant operational disruptions, potentially leading to production halts, safety system failures, or even physical damage to industrial equipment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these applications are often deployed in environments with limited security monitoring and patch management capabilities, creating ideal conditions for exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general network access, disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, and applying vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Client Execution" which highlights the danger of exploiting ActiveX controls to execute malicious code on target systems. Additional defensive measures should include implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious HTML content, conducting regular vulnerability assessments of industrial control system components, and establishing robust patch management processes specifically tailored for operational technology environments. Security teams should also consider network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and maintain detailed incident response procedures for industrial control system security events.