CVE-2012-2515 in Intelligent Platforms Proficy Historian
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the KeyHelp.KeyCtrl.1 ActiveX control in KeyHelp.ocx 1.2.312 in KeyWorks KeyHelp Module (aka the HTML Help component), as used in EMC Documentum ApplicationXtender Desktop 5.4; EMC Captiva Quickscan Pro 4.6 SP1; GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Historian 3.1, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5; GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 5.0 and 5.1; GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Pulse 1.0; GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Batch Execution 5.6; GE Intelligent Platforms SI7 I/O Driver 7.20 through 7.42; and other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the second argument to the (1) JumpMappedID or (2) JumpURL method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2515 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the KeyHelp.KeyCtrl.1 ActiveX control in KeyHelp.ocx version 1.2.312. This flaw exists within the HTML Help component that was widely deployed across multiple industrial and enterprise software platforms including EMC Documentum ApplicationXtender Desktop, EMC Captiva Quickscan Pro, and various GE Intelligent Platforms products. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the KeyHelp ActiveX control, specifically in the JumpMappedID and JumpURL methods where the second argument is processed without adequate bounds checking. This allows attackers to craft malicious input strings that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the typical stack-based buffer overflow pattern where a fixed-size buffer on the stack is overwritten by user-supplied input. When the second argument to either JumpMappedID or JumpURL methods exceeds the predetermined buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory locations, potentially overwriting return addresses, saved registers, and other critical execution context information. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size buffers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web-based interfaces or maliciously crafted documents that invoke the vulnerable ActiveX control, making it suitable for remote code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple industrial control systems and enterprise applications, creating significant risk for organizations utilizing the affected software products. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on systems running vulnerable versions of the KeyHelp component, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical business processes. The widespread deployment of these components across different vendors and product lines amplifies the potential attack surface, as a single exploit could affect multiple systems within an organization. Organizations using GE Intelligent Platforms products including Proficy Historian, iFIX, Pulse, and Batch Execution systems face particular risk given the industrial control nature of these applications where system integrity and availability are paramount for operational safety and business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2515 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches and updates, while also implementing defensive measures to reduce attack surface exposure. Organizations should disable or remove the vulnerable ActiveX control from systems where it is not essential for business operations, particularly in environments where user interaction with potentially malicious content is possible. Browser security configurations should be adjusted to prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls, and users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted documents that might trigger the vulnerable component. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other legacy components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1595.001 for Network Connections to identify and protect against similar attack vectors.