CVE-2012-3021 in Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal
Summary
by MITRE
rifsrvd.exe in the Remote Interface Service in GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal 2.6 through 3.5 SP1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and service crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via long input data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-3010 and CVE-2012-3026.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3021 affects the Remote Interface Service component within GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal versions 2.6 through 3.5 SP1. This flaw exists in the rifsrvd.exe process which serves as the core daemon responsible for handling remote interface communications and data processing within the industrial automation platform. The affected system operates within critical infrastructure environments where real-time data processing and monitoring capabilities are essential for operational continuity.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the rifsrvd.exe service when processing incoming data streams. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending deliberately crafted long input data sequences that exceed the service's buffer capacity or memory allocation limits. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages memory corruption techniques that can lead to either service termination or more critically, arbitrary code execution within the context of the running service. The vulnerability specifically targets the service's handling of user-supplied data without adequate bounds checking or sanitization procedures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3021 represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments. A successful exploitation can result in immediate service disruption through denial of service conditions, potentially causing operational downtime that affects production processes, monitoring capabilities, and real-time data acquisition. In more severe scenarios where arbitrary code execution is achieved, attackers could gain persistent access to the industrial control environment, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized system modifications, or even physical system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of industrial automation systems that rely on continuous operation.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, representing classic memory corruption attack vectors that have been extensively documented in industrial control system security contexts. The attack pattern aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques including T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and potentially T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter if code execution is achieved. Organizations operating affected GE Proficy systems should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rules restricting access to the vulnerable service ports, and application-level input validation controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper software security practices in industrial environments where the consequences of service disruption or system compromise can extend far beyond typical enterprise network impacts.
The root cause analysis reveals inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the remote interface service implementation. The service fails to implement proper bounds checking mechanisms when processing external data inputs, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to overwrite memory regions or corrupt service state information. This vulnerability type represents a common weakness in industrial software implementations where security considerations may not be prioritized during initial development phases, particularly in legacy systems that have been operational for extended periods without comprehensive security updates. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur from external network positions, eliminating the need for physical access or insider threat capabilities.