CVE-2012-0229 in Intelligent Platforms Proficy Historian
Summary
by MITRE
The Data Archiver service in GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Historian 4.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted session on TCP port 14000 to (1) ihDataArchiver.exe or (2) ihDataArchiver_x64.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0229 affects the Data Archiver service component within GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Historian versions 4.5 and earlier. This service operates on TCP port 14000 and is implemented through two executable files ihDataArchiver.exe and ihDataArchiver_x64.exe which handle data archiving operations for industrial control systems. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that exposes operational technology environments to potential exploitation by remote attackers who can manipulate the service through crafted session data.
This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the Data Archiver service implementation. When remote attackers establish connections to TCP port 14000 and send specially crafted session data, the service fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming information before processing it. The technical flaw manifests as memory corruption issues that can lead to application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures within the target process.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0229 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable complete system compromise within industrial control environments. Organizations utilizing Proficy Historian 4.5 or earlier versions face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt critical data archiving operations, potentially causing data loss or system unavailability. The attack surface is particularly concerning in industrial settings where continuous operation is critical, as the denial of service condition could impact process monitoring and historical data collection essential for operational integrity. Additionally, the potential for arbitrary code execution creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads within the industrial network environment.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves legitimate programs being used to gain access to systems through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The attack vector demonstrates how industrial control system components can be targeted through network-based exploitation, highlighting the importance of network segmentation and privileged access controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Proficy Historian versions, network access controls to restrict access to TCP port 14000, and monitoring for suspicious connection patterns to the affected service. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining current vulnerability assessments for industrial control systems and implementing comprehensive security controls that address both network and application-level threats.