CVE-2013-2805 in RSLinx Enterprise Software
Summary
by MITRE
Rockwell Automation RSLinx Enterprise Software (LogReceiver.exe) CPR9, CPR9-SR1, CPR9-SR2, CPR9-SR3, CPR9-SR4, CPR9-SR5, CPR9-SR5.1, and CPR9-SR6 does not handle input correctly and results in a logic error if it receives a datagram with an incorrect value in the ?Record Data Size? field. By sending a datagram to the service over Port 4444/UDP with the ?Record Data Size? field modified to an oversized value, an attacker could cause an out-of-bounds read access violation that leads to a service crash. The service can be recovered with a manual reboot. The patches and details pertaining to this vulnerability can be found at the following Rockwell Automation Security Advisory link (login is required): https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/537599
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2805 affects Rockwell Automation RSLinx Enterprise Software versions CPR9 through CPR9-SR6, specifically targeting the LogReceiver.exe component that operates on UDP port 4444. This issue represents a classic input validation flaw that demonstrates poor error handling in industrial control systems software, where the application fails to properly validate incoming network data before processing it. The vulnerability stems from the software's inability to correctly handle malformed datagrams, particularly those containing incorrect values in the Record Data Size field, which creates a condition where the application attempts to read memory beyond its allocated boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests as a logic error when the application receives a datagram with an oversized Record Data Size field value, leading to an out-of-bounds read access violation that ultimately causes the LogReceiver.exe service to crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, which occurs when a program reads data past the end of a valid buffer. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in industrial environments where continuous operation is critical, as the service crash requires manual rebooting to restore functionality, creating potential downtime that could affect production processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential attack vector that could be exploited in industrial control system environments where Rockwell Automation products are deployed. The attack requires minimal complexity to execute, as an attacker only needs to send a specially crafted datagram to UDP port 4444 with an oversized Record Data Size field, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in unsecured industrial networks. This type of attack could be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1499.001, Network Denial of Service, where an attacker aims to disrupt network services through resource exhaustion or service crashes. The vulnerability's presence in multiple service releases indicates a persistent flaw in the software's input handling mechanisms that was not adequately addressed across the product lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of Rockwell Automation's security patches as referenced in their advisory, which would address the specific input validation issues in the LogReceiver.exe component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to UDP port 4444, particularly from untrusted networks, as part of defense-in-depth strategies. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual traffic patterns or service restarts that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in industrial control systems, where security considerations must be integrated into the software development lifecycle from the beginning, following standards such as NIST SP 800-30 for risk assessment and secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed network traffic patterns consistent with this vulnerability, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to industrial control system environments where service restoration may require manual intervention rather than automated recovery mechanisms.