CVE-2013-0664 in Modicon Quantum Plc
Summary
by MITRE
The FactoryCast service on the Schneider Electric Quantum 140NOE77111 and 140NWM10000, M340 BMXNOE0110x, and Premium TSXETY5103 PLC modules allows remote authenticated users to send Modbus messages, and consequently execute arbitrary code, by embedding these messages in SOAP HTTP POST requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0664 affects Schneider Electric's FactoryCast service implementation across multiple industrial control system modules including the Quantum 140NOE77111 and 140NWM10000 network modules, as well as M340 BMXNOE0110x and Premium TSXETY5103 PLC modules. This security flaw represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that exploits the service's handling of Modbus protocol messages within SOAP HTTP POST requests, creating a significant risk for industrial environments where operational technology systems are connected to corporate networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the FactoryCast service component that processes incoming SOAP requests. When authenticated users send specially crafted HTTP POST requests containing embedded Modbus messages, the service fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming data before processing. This lack of proper validation allows maliciously constructed Modbus commands to be executed directly on the target PLC modules, bypassing normal security boundaries between the network layer and the industrial control system. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the service's interpretation of SOAP envelopes that contain Modbus protocol data, where the embedded commands are executed without proper authorization checks or data sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical network security concerns into the realm of industrial control system integrity and safety. Remote authenticated users can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on PLC modules, potentially leading to system compromise, unauthorized process control, data manipulation, or disruption of critical manufacturing operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials, which may be obtained through social engineering, credential theft, or other initial compromise techniques. Once exploited, attackers could modify control logic, alter production parameters, or even cause physical damage to industrial processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where control systems directly manage safety-critical operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general corporate networks, deployment of network access controls to restrict SOAP service access, and implementation of secure authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a pathway for attackers to move from network-level access to system-level control through the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and execution techniques. Regular security assessments, patch management programs, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, industrial organizations should consider implementing network protocols that restrict Modbus traffic to trusted networks only, and establish strict access controls for FactoryCast service endpoints to prevent unauthorized code execution.