CVE-2012-3797 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, does not properly check packet sizes before reusing packet memory buffers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a short crafted packet with a certain opcode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3797 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 memory safety issue within industrial automation software that handles network communications for manufacturing and control systems. The flaw resides in the packet processing logic where the software fails to validate packet sizes before utilizing pre-allocated memory buffers, creating a scenario ripe for heap-based memory corruption attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the network protocol handler. When the software receives network packets, it does not adequately verify the actual size of incoming data against the expected buffer capacity before proceeding with memory reuse operations. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious packets with specific opcodes and truncated payload sizes that can cause the application to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The heap memory corruption occurs because the software attempts to reuse memory buffers without proper bounds checking, leading to potential memory overwrite conditions that can destabilize the entire application process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to industrial control systems and manufacturing environments where Pro-face products are deployed. The denial of service condition can result in complete system unavailability, potentially disrupting production processes and causing financial losses. The unspecified additional impacts suggest that under certain conditions, attackers might be able to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, though the exact attack vectors remain unclear. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked industrial environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves legitimate user access to establish persistence and maintain access to systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where industrial control systems are connected to corporate networks, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers seeking to compromise critical infrastructure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, patch management, and monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, implementing network-based firewalls to restrict access to Pro-face services, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of industrial control system networks. The remediation process requires careful planning to avoid disrupting critical manufacturing operations while ensuring that all affected systems receive proper updates. Additionally, organizations should enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system vulnerabilities.