CVE-2012-4711 in KingView
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in kingMess.exe 65.20.2003.10300 in WellinTech KingView 6.52, kingMess.exe 65.20.2003.10400 in KingView 6.53, and kingMess.exe 65.50.2011.18049 in KingView 6.55 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4711 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the kingMess.exe component of WellinTech KingView industrial automation software versions 6.52, 6.53, and 6.55. This buffer overflow occurs in the messaging service responsible for handling network communications within the KingView environment, specifically when processing crafted network packets. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the message handling routine, allowing attackers to overflow memory buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten, and specifically aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The affected software operates within industrial control systems and SCADA environments where network communication is essential for process monitoring and control, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology contexts.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability requires an attacker to send a specially crafted network packet to a system running the vulnerable KingView version. When the kingMess.exe process receives this malformed packet, it fails to properly validate the packet size or content before copying data into fixed-size buffers. This allows the attacker to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures within the process memory space. The attack can result in either arbitrary code execution if the attacker can control the overwritten memory locations to redirect program execution flow, or a denial of service condition that crashes the messaging service and potentially the entire KingView application. The vulnerability is classified as remote because it does not require physical access or local system compromise, making it particularly dangerous for industrial networks that may be exposed to external threats. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables remote code execution and service disruption capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4711 extends beyond simple system compromise into critical infrastructure security concerns for industrial environments. In SCADA and industrial control systems where KingView is commonly deployed, this vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt critical processes, manipulate data, or gain unauthorized access to control systems that manage power generation, water treatment, manufacturing processes, or other essential services. The potential for cascading failures increases when considering that industrial systems often lack the robust security controls found in traditional IT environments, and the consequences of service disruption in these contexts can be severe. The vulnerability affects systems that may operate continuously for years without patching, creating extended exposure windows. Organizations using affected versions of KingView face significant risk of compromise, particularly in environments where network segmentation is inadequate or where the software is exposed to untrusted network zones. The memory corruption resulting from this vulnerability can lead to unpredictable behavior, making it difficult to detect and remediate. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader industrial security assessments and implement layered defenses including network monitoring, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4711 should include immediate patching of affected systems with updates provided by WellinTech, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent software versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate KingView systems from general network traffic and limit access to only necessary network ports and services. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual packet patterns or malformed communications that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known attack patterns related to buffer overflow exploits can provide early warning of potential compromises. System administrators should conduct regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches in industrial environments where legacy systems may remain operational for extended periods. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries and reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Regular security awareness training for industrial control system operators should emphasize the importance of network security and the potential impact of remote code execution vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure environments.