CVE-2011-4052 in Web Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CEServer.exe in the CEServer component in the Remote Agent module in InduSoft Web Studio 6.1 and 7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted 0x15 (aka Remove File) operation for a file with a long name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4052 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the CEServer.exe component of InduSoft Web Studio versions 6.1 and 7.0. This security weakness exists within the Remote Agent module's CEServer component, specifically when processing a crafted 0x15 operation known as Remove File functionality. The flaw manifests when an attacker constructs a malicious file name with excessive length that exceeds the allocated buffer space in memory, creating conditions ripe for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the file name handling routines of the remote agent service.
From a technical perspective, this buffer overflow occurs due to improper bounds checking during the processing of file removal operations in the Remote Agent module. When the CEServer component receives a Remove File command with an excessively long file name, the system fails to validate the input length against the allocated buffer size, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The attack vector leverages the 0x15 operation code which is part of the communication protocol used by the remote agent for file management tasks. This particular operation is especially vulnerable because it directly processes user-supplied file names without sufficient sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, creating significant risks for industrial control systems and SCADA environments where InduSoft Web Studio is commonly deployed. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems controlling critical infrastructure, potentially leading to system compromise, data manipulation, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where the Remote Agent module is active and accessible over network connections, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such services are exposed to untrusted networks. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the network without requiring local system access, significantly expanding the attack surface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate systems running InduSoft Web Studio, disabling unnecessary remote agent functionality, and applying available vendor patches or updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of weakness types related to buffer management and memory safety. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under Initial Access and Execution phases, specifically targeting the use of remote services and command execution capabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should include comprehensive system hardening measures, including regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and maintaining up-to-date security patches to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.