CVE-2011-4536 in KingView
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in nettransdll.dll in HistorySvr.exe (aka HistoryServer.exe) in WellinTech KingView 6.53 and 65.30.2010.18018 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted op-code 3 packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4536 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the WellinTech KingView software suite, specifically affecting the HistorySvr.exe component also known as HistoryServer.exe. This vulnerability exists within the nettransdll.dll dynamic link library and manifests when processing specially crafted op-code 3 packets transmitted over a network connection. The affected versions include KingView 6.53 and the specific build 65.30.2010.18018, indicating this flaw was present in a widely deployed industrial automation and SCADA monitoring platform. The vulnerability's designation as heap-based indicates that memory allocation occurs on the heap rather than the stack, making the exploitation more complex but potentially more reliable than stack-based overflows. The security implications are severe as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially compromising entire industrial control networks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the HistorySvr.exe application when handling network communication packets. When a malicious actor sends an op-code 3 packet containing oversized data, the application fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer allocated on the heap. This failure creates a condition where the buffer overflow occurs in the heap memory space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program data structures. The heap-based nature of the overflow provides attackers with more sophisticated exploitation techniques compared to traditional stack-based buffer overflows, as heap metadata can be manipulated to achieve code execution. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety and represents one of the most prevalent attack vectors in software security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential disruption of industrial control systems and compromise of critical infrastructure. WellinTech KingView is widely deployed in industrial environments for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes, power generation, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure sectors. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to these systems, potentially leading to process disruption, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for industrial environments where security perimeters may be less strictly enforced. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. The vulnerability's presence in a SCADA system also raises concerns about potential cascading effects throughout industrial networks, as these systems often lack traditional security controls found in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4536 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of WellinTech KingView software, as the vendor likely released security updates addressing this specific heap overflow vulnerability. Network-based mitigations include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to HistorySvr.exe services and blocking incoming connections on the specific ports used by the vulnerable application. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious op-code 3 packet traffic. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow suggests that memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention could help mitigate exploitation attempts. However, given the age of this vulnerability and the industrial nature of the affected systems, organizations should also implement comprehensive security monitoring and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system environments. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial networks should include vulnerability scanning for similar memory corruption flaws in other industrial automation software to prevent similar incidents.