CVE-2011-4882 in webMI2ADS
Summary
by MITRE
The web server in Certec atvise webMI2ADS (aka webMI) before 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application exit) via an unspecified command in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4882 affects the Certec atvise webMI2ADS web server component, specifically within the webMI application version prior to 2.0.2. This represents a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The affected system operates as a web server interface for industrial automation and control systems, making it a potential target for adversaries seeking to disrupt operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests when the web server processes an unspecified command contained within an HTTP request, leading to application termination and complete service unavailability. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can have significant operational consequences in industrial environments where continuous operation is critical.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the web server component of the webMI application. When processing HTTP requests containing malicious or malformed commands, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming data before executing operations. This lack of proper input validation creates a condition where an attacker can craft specific HTTP requests that trigger unexpected behavior in the web server process. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection or arbitrary code execution flaw, though it manifests specifically as a denial of service rather than direct code execution. The absence of proper bounds checking and input sanitization allows the web server to interpret attacker-controlled data as executable commands, ultimately resulting in application crash and system shutdown. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise industrial control systems and operational technology environments. In industrial settings where webMI serves as a front-end interface for automation processes, a successful exploitation can result in complete system unavailability, leading to production downtime, safety risks, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely, making it accessible to attackers with basic network connectivity. Organizations relying on Certec atvise webMI2ADS systems face significant risk as this flaw can be leveraged to create sustained denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore service. The impact is amplified in environments where these systems control critical infrastructure, as the DoS condition can cascade into broader operational failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4882 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable web server to untrusted networks. Organizations should deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other industrial control system components. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable web server. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving denial of service and command execution, with potential lateral movement opportunities if the system has access to other network resources. System administrators should also implement robust monitoring and alerting for application crashes and service interruptions to detect exploitation attempts promptly.