CVE-2013-2807 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 ?Total Record Size? 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? that will 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 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-2013-2807 affects Rockwell Automation RSLinx Enterprise Software version CPR9 and its subsequent service releases, specifically targeting the LogReceiver.exe component that operates on UDP port 4444. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that stems from improper input validation and calculation logic within the software's packet processing mechanism. The flaw manifests when the software receives a specially crafted datagram containing an oversized Record Data Size field, which triggers a miscalculation in the Total Record Size field computation. This logical error creates a scenario where the application calculates an incorrect value that results in an out-of-bounds memory access violation, ultimately causing the service to crash and become unavailable.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices and falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" and CWE-125 "Out-of-Bounds Read" as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability operates through a specific attack vector where an attacker sends a malformed UDP packet to the target system's port 4444, manipulating the Record Data Size field to values that, when processed by the LogReceiver.exe application, produce incorrect calculations. This flaw represents a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control system environments where availability is critical for operational continuity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates potential risks for industrial automation systems that rely on continuous operation of RSLinx Enterprise software for data collection and communication between devices. The service crash resulting from this vulnerability requires manual intervention through system reboot, which can be particularly problematic in mission-critical environments where unplanned downtime can result in production losses or safety incidents. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a persistent flaw in the codebase that was not adequately addressed through the various service releases, suggesting a fundamental issue in the input validation and memory management routines of the LogReceiver component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patches referenced in the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory, which would address the flawed calculation logic and input validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected service to only trusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous UDP traffic patterns on port 4444. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for "Endpoint Denial of Service" and potentially T1071.004 for "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" if the attack vector involves DNS-based command and control. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and blocking malformed UDP packets targeting the specific vulnerable field structures, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components that may exhibit similar input validation flaws.