CVE-2011-5008 in CoDeSys
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the GatewayService component in 3S CoDeSys 3.4 SP4 Patch 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large size value in the packet header, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5008 represents a critical security flaw within the GatewayService component of 3S CoDeSys 3.4 SP4 Patch 2 industrial automation software. This issue stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing packet headers containing excessively large size values, creating a pathway for remote code execution. The affected system operates within industrial control environments where reliability and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could compromise entire industrial processes and infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input validation within the GatewayService component's packet processing logic. When a maliciously crafted packet arrives with an oversized size field in its header, the system fails to properly handle the integer overflow condition that occurs during size calculation. This flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow, where the system attempts to allocate memory based on the inflated size value, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, making it accessible over network connections without requiring local system access, and follows the common pattern of integer overflow vulnerabilities that are classified under CWE-190 as "Integer Overflow or Wraparound."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and industrial control disruption. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially leading to process manipulation, data corruption, or complete system takeover. The implications are severe in industrial environments where these systems control critical infrastructure such as manufacturing processes, power generation, or water treatment facilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network connectivity is inevitable and security controls may be insufficient.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of industrial control system security frameworks and the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on the techniques related to remote code execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and may also map to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when executed successfully. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems, firewall rules to restrict access to the affected GatewayService ports, and application-level monitoring for anomalous packet size patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in industrial software, highlighting the need for regular security assessments and patch management processes specifically tailored for industrial control environments. The affected 3S CoDeSys software requires immediate update to a patched version that addresses the integer overflow condition and implements proper bounds checking for packet size fields to prevent heap-based buffer overflow conditions.