CVE-2012-4715 in RSLinx Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in LogReceiver.exe in Rockwell Automation RSLinx Enterprise CPR9, CPR9-SR1, CPR9-SR2, CPR9-SR3, CPR9-SR4, CPR9-SR5, CPR9-SR5.1, and CPR9-SR6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a UDP packet with a certain integer length value that is (1) too large or (2) too small, leading to improper handling by Logger.dll.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4715 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within Rockwell Automation's RSLinx Enterprise software suite, specifically affecting multiple versions including CPR9 through CPR9-SR6. This flaw exists in the LogReceiver.exe component which processes incoming UDP packets for industrial communication purposes. The vulnerability manifests when the software receives UDP packets containing integer length values that exceed or fall below acceptable thresholds, creating a scenario where the Logger.dll module fails to properly handle these malformed inputs. The affected system operates within industrial control environments where Rockwell Automation's RSLinx Enterprise serves as a critical communication bridge between various industrial devices and monitoring systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within the UDP packet processing pipeline. When LogReceiver.exe encounters a UDP packet with an integer length field that is either excessively large or unreasonably small, the Logger.dll module attempts to allocate memory or process data structures based on these invalid length values. This improper handling creates a condition where the application's memory management becomes compromised, leading to potential stack corruption or heap overflow scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, covering heap-based buffer overflow issues that can occur when applications fail to properly validate input parameters before processing them. The integer length field manipulation allows attackers to bypass normal input sanitization mechanisms and directly exploit memory handling routines within the software's core components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enabling remote code execution within the target system environment. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the LogReceiver.exe daemon to crash and restart, creating service interruptions that may disrupt industrial processes or monitoring operations. However, the more severe implications arise when attackers can leverage the overflow to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the running application. This capability allows for complete system compromise, potentially enabling attackers to gain persistent access to industrial control systems, manipulate process data, or escalate privileges within the operational technology environment. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on Rockwell Automation's RSLinx Enterprise for communication between industrial devices and enterprise networks, making it a significant concern for critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and process control industries.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their industrial control systems from potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by Rockwell Automation to address the buffer overflow conditions in LogReceiver.exe and Logger.dll components. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, particularly ensuring that UDP traffic destined for the vulnerable LogReceiver.exe process is restricted to trusted sources only. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous UDP packet patterns or unusual traffic volumes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify potential buffer overflow exploitation patterns and monitor for indicators of compromise within industrial control environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper input validation and memory management practices in industrial software systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499.004 for network disruption, which are commonly associated with buffer overflow exploitation in industrial control environments.