CVE-2013-0680 in OPC DataHub
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the web server in Cogent Real-Time Systems Cogent DataHub before 7.3.0, OPC DataHub before 6.4.22, Cascade DataHub before 6.4.22 on Windows, and DataHub QuickTrend before 7.3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0680 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple industrial data acquisition and monitoring systems manufactured by Cogent Real-Time Systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the web server component embedded within several DataHub products including Cogent DataHub, OPC DataHub, Cascade DataHub, and DataHub QuickTrend across Windows platforms. The flaw manifests when these systems process HTTP headers, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated stack buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected versions span across multiple product lines and release versions, indicating a widespread issue within the vendor's software portfolio that required significant attention to address.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web server's HTTP header processing functionality. When the system receives an HTTP request containing an excessively long header field, the application fails to properly bounds-check the data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite the return address of the calling function and potentially other critical stack variables. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it accessible through standard HTTP protocols and requiring no special privileges or authentication to exploit. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented and highly dangerous vulnerability type that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, presenting significant risks to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to either crash the daemon process, causing service disruption and potential data loss, or more severely execute arbitrary code on the affected systems. In industrial settings where DataHub products are commonly deployed for process control, SCADA systems, and real-time data monitoring, such an exploit could lead to operational disruptions, data integrity compromises, or even physical system damage. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access, making it particularly dangerous in connected industrial environments where security boundaries may be weak. The potential for code execution places this vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and potentially T1078 for Valid Accounts, as successful exploitation could lead to persistent access and further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0680 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for industrial control systems. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates to all affected versions of Cogent DataHub products, specifically upgrading to versions 7.3.0 or later for Cogent DataHub, 6.4.22 or later for OPC DataHub, and 6.4.22 or later for Cascade DataHub. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks, particularly disabling unnecessary HTTP services when possible. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusually long HTTP headers and implementing intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their industrial control system infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping industrial control systems updated and the need for robust security practices in environments where operational technology and information technology converge.