CVE-2013-2806 in RSLinx Enterprise
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 calculates an incorrect value for the ?End of Current Record? field. By sending a datagram to the service over Port 4444/UDP with the ?Record Data Size? field modified to a specifically oversized value, the service will calculate an undersized value for the ?Total Record Size.? Then the service will calculate an incorrect value for the ?End of Current Record? field causing access violations that lead to a service crash. The service can be recovered with a manual reboot. The patches and details pertaining to these vulnerabilities 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 described in CVE-2013-2806 affects Rockwell Automation RSLinx Enterprise Software versions CPR9 through CPR9-SR6, specifically targeting the LogReceiver.exe component. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of network datagrams received over UDP port 4444. The flaw manifests when the service receives a specially crafted datagram with an oversized Record Data Size field, creating a cascading logic error that fundamentally corrupts the service's internal state management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the network protocol level, allowing remote attackers to exploit the flaw without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves manipulating the Record Data Size field within UDP datagrams sent to the LogReceiver service. When this field is set to an oversized value, the service's internal calculation logic produces an incorrect Total Record Size value, which subsequently leads to an erroneous End of Current Record field calculation. This mathematical error creates a condition where the service attempts to access memory locations beyond its allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in access violations that cause the service to terminate unexpectedly. The flaw is classified as a logic error rather than a traditional buffer overflow, making it more subtle and potentially harder to detect through conventional security scanning methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates a persistent availability risk for industrial control systems that rely on Rockwell Automation software for data logging and monitoring operations. The service crash requires manual reboot to recover, which can be particularly problematic in critical infrastructure environments where system uptime is essential for operational continuity. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. From an attacker perspective, this represents a remote code execution vector that can be exploited without authentication, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1499 for denial of service attacks.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of the patches provided by Rockwell Automation through their official security advisory channel. Organizations should prioritize patching across all affected RSLinx Enterprise installations, particularly in environments where industrial control systems are connected to corporate networks or exposed to external threats. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit access to UDP port 4444, and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous datagram patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as a logic error rather than a memory corruption issue means that traditional memory protection mechanisms may not prevent exploitation, necessitating a layered defense approach that includes both software updates and network-level controls to ensure comprehensive protection against this specific class of vulnerability.