CVE-2012-0254 in Enterprise Building Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the HMIWeb Browser HSCDSPRenderDLL ActiveX control in Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) Experion R2xx, R30x, R31x, and R400.x; Honeywell Building Solutions (HBS) Enterprise Building Manager R400 and R410.1; and Honeywell Environmental Combustion and Controls (ECC) SymmetrE R410.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0254 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the HMIWeb Browser HSCDSPRenderDLL ActiveX control, which is part of Honeywell's industrial control systems ecosystem. This flaw affects multiple product lines including Experion R2xx, R30x, R31x, and R400.x for process solutions, Enterprise Building Manager R400 and R410.1 for building solutions, and SymmetrE R410.1 for environmental combustion and controls. The vulnerability exists within the ActiveX control implementation that handles web browser functionality within Honeywell's industrial automation environments, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The buffer overflow occurs when the control processes malformed input data, specifically within the HSCDSPRenderDLL component that manages rendering of web content within the industrial control interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the ActiveX control's memory management routines. When the HSCDSPRenderDLL component receives input data through web browser functionality, it fails to validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic stack buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control data structures. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within an industrial control environment where ActiveX controls are often automatically executed without user intervention, creating an attack vector that can be exploited through web-based delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these industrial systems are often connected to corporate networks and may not have robust security controls or regular patching procedures in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical corporate network environments due to the critical nature of the affected industrial control systems. Remote code execution capabilities within process control environments could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes, potentially causing physical damage to equipment, disrupting production operations, or creating safety hazards in industrial settings. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these systems often operate in closed networks with limited security monitoring, making detection of exploitation difficult. The vulnerability could be exploited through various vectors including malicious web pages, email attachments, or compromised websites that deliver the malicious ActiveX control to target systems. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how industrial control systems can be targeted through web-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0254 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control restrictions through browser security policies, disable automatic execution of ActiveX components, and deploy network segmentation to isolate critical industrial control systems from general network access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and memory management practices. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that only permit execution of known good ActiveX controls, and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify unpatched industrial control systems. Given the age of this vulnerability and the industrial nature of the affected systems, organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Honeywell software products, though this may require careful planning due to the critical nature of industrial operations. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious ActiveX control activity, and regular security awareness training should be provided to personnel who may interact with these industrial systems.