CVE-2012-2915 in PAC-Designer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Lattice Semiconductor PAC-Designer 6.2.1344 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in a Value tag in a SymbolicSchematicData definition tag in PAC Design (.pac) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2915 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Lattice Semiconductor's PAC-Designer software version 6.2.1344. This issue resides in the parsing mechanism responsible for processing pac design files, specifically when handling the Value tag within a SymbolicSchematicData definition tag structure. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a maliciously crafted pac file containing an excessively long string within the Value tag field, which exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution, meaning attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local access to the system. The affected software operates by interpreting pac files that contain schematic design data for field programmable gate arrays, making this vulnerability applicable to the broader FPGA design ecosystem where such files are commonly used for circuit design and implementation. The stack-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable code likely employs fixed-size buffers without proper bounds checking when processing user-supplied data from the pac file format.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious pac file with an oversized Value tag string that surpasses the predetermined buffer limits. When the PAC-Designer application attempts to parse this malformed input, the excessive data overflows into adjacent stack memory regions, potentially corrupting the return address or other critical program state information. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the stack or to overwrite function pointers, effectively allowing attackers to gain control over the application's execution path. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it operates over remote network connections, allowing attackers to deliver malicious pac files through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The exploitation requires no special privileges or local access, making it a highly attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of PAC-Designer software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on Lattice PAC-Designer for FPGA design work. Organizations using this software for circuit design and implementation face significant risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive design information. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire design workflow since malicious actors could inject backdoors or malicious logic into FPGA designs, potentially compromising the security of deployed hardware systems. In enterprise environments where these design tools are commonly used for developing critical infrastructure components, the implications are severe as attackers could potentially modify circuit behavior or introduce security vulnerabilities into hardware implementations. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target users across network boundaries without requiring physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where design files are frequently shared. This flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers gain elevated system access through the compromised design tool.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2915 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-supplied security updates. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of PAC-Designer software and ensure timely deployment of patches. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of design environments to untrusted networks, while input validation measures can help reduce the attack surface by filtering malformed pac files before they reach the vulnerable parsing components. The implementation of application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques can provide additional defense layers by restricting the execution of unauthorized code and limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous file processing activities or unusual network communications related to design tool usage. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with various cybersecurity frameworks and standards including those addressing secure coding practices and vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect and remediate similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other software components within their design environments, as this type of flaw represents a common class of security issues that require continuous vigilance and proactive security measures.