CVE-2012-3796 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 obtain sensitive information from daemon memory via a crafted packet with a certain opcode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3796 affects Pro-face WinGP PC Runtime versions 3.1.00 and earlier, as well as ProServr.exe in Pro-face Pro-Server EX versions 1.30.000 and earlier. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from the memory of daemon processes through carefully crafted network packets. The vulnerability specifically leverages a particular opcode within the communication protocol to trigger memory disclosure behavior, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where such systems are commonly deployed. The affected software products are part of the Pro-face ecosystem used for industrial automation and process control applications, where memory exposure could reveal critical operational data, authentication credentials, or system configuration details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the protocol handling layer of these industrial communication components. When a malicious actor sends a specially crafted packet containing a specific opcode, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure or enforce proper access controls before processing the request. This allows the attacker to potentially read memory contents that should remain protected, including but not limited to system variables, configuration parameters, or potentially sensitive operational data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the lack of proper memory isolation mechanisms within the daemon processes. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-200: Information Exposure, which encompasses various forms of information leakage that can occur due to inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082: System Information Discovery, as it enables adversaries to gather detailed information about the target system's memory state and operational parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within industrial control environments where Pro-face systems are deployed. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into system internals that may aid in subsequent attacks, including potential privilege escalation or further system compromise. The exposure of memory contents could reveal network configurations, communication protocols, or even embedded credentials that could be leveraged for lateral movement within industrial networks. In critical infrastructure settings, this information disclosure could enable attackers to map system architectures, identify vulnerable components, or develop more sophisticated attack vectors. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for industrial environments where network security controls may be less stringent than in traditional enterprise networks. Organizations using these legacy systems face increased risk of targeted attacks that could potentially disrupt critical processes or compromise operational integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Pro-face, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. Organizations should consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those involving the specific opcode that triggers the vulnerability. The implementation of proper input validation and access control mechanisms within the affected systems is essential to prevent similar issues in the future. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy industrial protocols and communication stacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to detect and alert on the particular packet structures associated with this vulnerability, as well as maintaining comprehensive network monitoring to identify any unauthorized access attempts or unusual memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation.