CVE-2012-0241 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a modified stream identifier to a function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0241 affects Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess versions prior to 7.0, representing a critical memory corruption issue that can be exploited remotely to induce denial of service conditions. This flaw resides within the handling of stream identifiers in a specific function, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the stream identifier parameter to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a buffer overflow or memory management error, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the stream identifier before processing it. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the memory corruption can potentially lead to system instability, application crashes, or even allow for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also map to CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions. The operational impact is significant for industrial control systems and SCADA environments where Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess is commonly deployed, as these systems often operate in critical infrastructure environments where service availability is paramount. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete service disruption, requiring system restarts and potentially leading to operational downtime that could affect industrial processes. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and may also represent a precursor to more advanced exploitation techniques if the memory corruption can be leveraged for code execution. The flaw indicates inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WebAccess application, specifically in how it processes stream identifiers during function calls. The lack of proper bounds checking and memory management protocols in the affected software version creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the application's memory state. This issue particularly affects environments where industrial automation and control systems rely on WebAccess for web-based monitoring and control interfaces, making it a significant concern for operational technology infrastructure. Organizations utilizing these systems must consider the potential for cascading failures if the denial of service impacts critical processes or if the vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the WebAccess software to version 7.0 or later, which should include enhanced input validation and memory management controls. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous stream identifier usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper software security practices in industrial environments where legacy systems often lack adequate security controls and are frequently targeted by adversaries seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure operations.