CVE-2012-4354 in Winlog Pro
Summary
by MITRE
TCPIPS_Story.dll 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 port-46824 TCP packet with a crafted positive integer after the opcode, triggering incorrect function-pointer processing that can lead to a buffer overflow. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4354 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the TCPIPS_Story.dll component of Sielco Sistemi's Winlog Pro and Winlog Lite SCADA systems. This vulnerability exists within the network communication handling mechanism of these industrial control systems, specifically targeting the TCP port 46824 which serves as the primary communication channel for SCADA operations. The flaw manifests when the system receives a specially crafted TCP packet containing an opcode followed by a crafted positive integer value that triggers improper function pointer dereferencing within the vulnerable library.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the TCPIPS_Story.dll module, which fails to properly sanitize or bounds-check integer values received in TCP packets. When a remote attacker sends a packet to port 46824 with a crafted opcode followed by a malicious positive integer, the system's processing logic interprets this value as a function pointer offset or jump table index. This incorrect interpretation causes the system to execute arbitrary code at an unpredictable memory location, effectively allowing remote code execution without authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the function pointer processing mechanism, where a positive integer value is incorrectly treated as a valid memory address or function table index, leading to stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited to overwrite critical program execution structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it compromises the integrity and availability of industrial control systems that are fundamental to critical infrastructure operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to SCADA systems, potentially leading to disruption of industrial processes, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both Winlog Pro and Winlog Lite versions prior to 2.07.17, indicating a widespread exposure across Sielco Sistemi's SCADA product line. This flaw particularly impacts environments where SCADA systems are connected to corporate networks or the internet, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The attack surface is significant given that SCADA systems typically control critical industrial processes, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for operational technology environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 2.07.17 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to port 46824, particularly in environments where the SCADA systems are not directly exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous TCP traffic patterns on port 46824 that may indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to detect the packet structures associated with this vulnerability, as well as conducting regular security assessments of their industrial control system environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other proprietary SCADA components.