CVE-2013-0108 in SymmetrE
Summary
by MITRE
An ActiveX control in HscRemoteDeploy.dll in Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI) R310, R400.2, R410.1, and R410.2; SymmetrE R310, R410.1, and R410.2; ComfortPoint Open Manager (aka CPO-M) Station R100; and HMIWeb Browser client packages allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0108 represents a critical security flaw in the Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator software suite and related systems. This issue affects multiple versions of Honeywell's building management and control software including EBI R310, R400.2, R410.1, and R410.2, SymmetrE R310, R410.1, and R410.2, ComfortPoint Open Manager Station R100, and HMIWeb Browser client packages. The vulnerability stems from an ActiveX control embedded in the HscRemoteDeploy.dll component which is designed to facilitate remote deployment operations within building automation environments. This particular ActiveX control presents a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized execution privileges on targeted systems.
The technical flaw lies within the improper validation and handling of user-supplied input within the ActiveX control implementation. When a specially crafted HTML document is loaded in a vulnerable system, the malicious code embedded within the document triggers the ActiveX control to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the browser. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that has been extended to include ActiveX component exploitation, allowing remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Internet Explorer with ActiveX support enabled, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where building management systems often run on Windows operating systems with browser-based interfaces. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute malicious code directly on the target system, potentially compromising the entire building automation infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as building automation systems control critical infrastructure components including HVAC systems, lighting controls, security systems, and emergency response mechanisms. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially disrupt building operations, gain unauthorized access to sensitive environmental controls, manipulate security systems, or even cause physical damage through improper control of mechanical systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it suitable for widespread phishing campaigns or watering hole attacks against organizations using Honeywell building management systems. Organizations with extensive building automation deployments face significant risk of cascading failures if attackers can compromise multiple systems through this single vulnerability, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of interconnected devices across large facilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0108 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches and updates, as well as operational security measures to reduce attack surface exposure. Organizations should implement strict browser security policies that disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted sites only, particularly in environments where building automation systems are accessed through web browsers. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to building management systems from untrusted networks, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerable systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories related to code injection and improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components, and maintain detailed inventory of all installed Honeywell software versions to ensure complete remediation across all affected systems.