CVE-2012-4353 in Winlog Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in RunTime.exe in Sielco Sistemi Winlog Pro SCADA before 2.07.17 and Winlog Lite SCADA before 2.07.17 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted port-46824 TCP packet that triggers an incorrect file-open attempt by the _TCPIPS_BinOpenFileFP function, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-3815. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4353 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the RunTime.exe component of Sielco Sistemi's Winlog Pro and Winlog Lite SCADA systems. This flaw exists in versions prior to 2.07.17 and specifically affects the handling of TCP packets on port 46824, making it exploitable by remote attackers without authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the _TCPIPS_BinOpenFileFP function, which processes file open requests from network connections. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data exceeds the bounds of a fixed-size stack buffer, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor sends a crafted TCP packet to port 46824, triggering the vulnerable _TCPIPS_BinOpenFileFP function. This function fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into a stack buffer, creating a condition where the overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues in software development. The specific nature of the flaw involves insufficient bounds checking during file open operations, where network data is directly copied without proper length verification, making it susceptible to exploitation through carefully crafted network packets.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments where Sielco Sistemi SCADA solutions are deployed. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems without physical access or local network presence, potentially leading to complete system takeover and disruption of industrial processes. The affected SCADA systems are commonly used in manufacturing, energy, water treatment, and other critical infrastructure sectors where continuous operation is essential. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes, access sensitive operational data, or create persistent backdoors within the network environment. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol to establish persistence and maintain access to compromised systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites since it operates over TCP port 46824, which is typically exposed to external networks in industrial environments. The attack surface is particularly concerning because SCADA systems often lack robust network segmentation and security monitoring, making such attacks more likely to succeed. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability exists in multiple product variants and requires patching across all affected versions of both Winlog Pro and Winlog Lite SCADA systems. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate SCADA systems from general corporate networks, deploy network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns on port 46824, and ensure all industrial control systems are kept up to date with vendor security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in industrial software, particularly in systems where security cannot be compromised due to operational continuity requirements.