CVE-2013-0657 in Interactive Graphical SCADA System
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Schneider Electric Interactive Graphical SCADA System (IGSS) 10 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by sending TCP port-12397 data that does not comply with a protocol.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0657 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Schneider Electric's Interactive Graphical SCADA System version 10 and earlier releases. This flaw exists in the system's handling of TCP port 12397 communications, which serves as the primary communication channel for IGSS operations. The vulnerability arises when the system receives malformed data packets that do not conform to the expected protocol specifications, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack buffer overflow condition where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to craft malicious TCP packets that exceed the allocated buffer space. When the IGSS system processes these malformed packets on port 12397, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory regions, potentially corrupting return addresses and control data. This memory corruption enables remote attackers to manipulate the program execution flow and inject arbitrary code into the system's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level, allowing remote exploitation without requiring physical access or local credentials.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial control systems that rely on Schneider Electric's IGSS platform for critical infrastructure management. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can gain full control over affected systems from anywhere on the network, potentially leading to unauthorized access to industrial processes, data manipulation, or system disruption. The impact extends beyond simple system compromise as attackers could potentially cause operational failures in critical infrastructure environments where IGSS systems manage power generation, water treatment, or manufacturing processes. Organizations utilizing these systems face significant risk of operational downtime, safety hazards, and potential regulatory violations when such vulnerabilities remain unpatched.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data written to a stack buffer exceeds its allocated bounds. This classification indicates the fundamental nature of the flaw as a memory safety issue that has been a persistent problem in software development for decades. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the remote execution capability to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate IGSS systems from general network traffic, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual traffic patterns on port 12397, and ensure prompt application of vendor security patches. Additionally, regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across industrial control system environments. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures in industrial environments where legacy systems may contain unpatched vulnerabilities that pose significant operational and safety risks.