CVE-2012-3007 in Wonderware Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in slssvc.exe before 58.x in Invensys Wonderware SuiteLink in the Invensys System Platform software suite, as used in InTouch/Wonderware Application Server IT before 10.5 and WAS before 3.5, DASABCIP before 4.1 SP2, DASSiDirect before 3.0, DAServer Runtime Components before 3.0 SP2, and other products, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash or hang) via a long Unicode string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3007 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the slssvc.exe component within Invensys Wonderware SuiteLink software suite. This flaw exists in multiple industrial automation products including InTouch/Wonderware Application Server IT versions prior to 10.5, Wonderware Application Server versions before 3.5, and various DAS (Data Access Server) components. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes incoming Unicode strings without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered by malicious actors. The affected software operates within industrial control systems and SCADA environments where reliability and continuous operation are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the slssvc.exe daemon process. When processing network requests containing Unicode strings, the application fails to validate the length of incoming data against the allocated stack buffer space. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete daemon termination. The vulnerability specifically affects Unicode string handling, indicating that the flaw occurs in the character encoding processing routines rather than simple ASCII string operations. This particular implementation aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which describes buffer overflows occurring in stack memory due to insufficient bounds checking. The attack vector requires remote network access to the affected service, making it accessible to attackers in networked industrial environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise entire industrial control systems. When the slssvc.exe daemon crashes or hangs due to the buffer overflow, it can disrupt critical automation processes within manufacturing and process control environments. The affected Wonderware products are commonly deployed in environments where system uptime is critical, such as oil and gas refineries, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing plants. A successful exploitation could result in production halts, safety system disruptions, or cascading failures that impact multiple connected systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the Wonderware suite suggests a widespread exposure across industrial automation deployments, potentially affecting thousands of operational sites globally. Organizations implementing the affected software in their industrial control systems face significant risk of operational disruption and potential safety hazards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3007 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from Invensys/ABB, as the vendor has released fixes for affected versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the vulnerable services, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in industrial software, particularly in environments where security controls may be less rigorous than in traditional enterprise systems. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential buffer overflow exploitation attempts. Given the nature of industrial environments, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other legacy industrial control system components. This vulnerability also highlights the need for proper software lifecycle management in OT environments, where patching cycles may be longer due to operational constraints and the requirement for system stability in critical infrastructure applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically related to the use of buffer overflow conditions in service daemons, making it relevant to both defensive and offensive security operations in industrial control environments.