CVE-2012-3792 in Pro-Server EX
Summary
by MITRE
Pro-face WinGP PC Runtime 3.1.00 and earlier, and ProServr.exe in Pro-face Pro-Server EX 1.30.000 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read operation) via a crafted packet that triggers a certain Find Node check attempt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3792 affects Pro-face WinGP PC Runtime versions 3.1.00 and earlier, as well as ProServr.exe component in Pro-face Pro-Server EX versions 1.30.000 and earlier. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted network packets. The vulnerability specifically manifests during certain Find Node check attempts within the communication protocols used by these industrial automation systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds read operation that occurs when the affected software processes malformed network packets. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted packet designed to trigger a Find Node check attempt, the system fails to properly validate input data before attempting to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This improper input validation creates an exploitable condition where the application attempts to read memory that it does not own or should not access, leading to unpredictable behavior and ultimately system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire industrial control system infrastructure. In industrial environments where Pro-face products are commonly deployed for process control and monitoring, a successful exploitation could result in complete system outages, production halts, and potential safety risks. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on these specific software components for communication between human machine interfaces and field devices, making it particularly dangerous in critical infrastructure scenarios.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with network-based exploitation techniques that leverage protocol implementation flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in industrial control systems, where the consequences of such flaws can extend far beyond traditional information technology environments. Organizations implementing these systems should consider the broader implications for their operational technology security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions that address the input validation issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring and logging of network traffic patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial processes. Organizations should also review their overall industrial cybersecurity frameworks to address similar vulnerabilities in other components of their operational technology infrastructure.