CVE-2014-0761 in ePAQ-9410 Substation Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The DNP3 driver in CG Automation ePAQ-9410 Substation Gateway allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop or process crash) via a crafted TCP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0761 resides within the DNP3 driver component of the CG Automation ePAQ-9410 Substation Gateway, representing a critical security flaw that exposes industrial control systems to remote exploitation. This device operates within the energy sector as a substation gateway, facilitating communication between field devices and supervisory control systems. The DNP3 protocol, widely adopted in industrial automation for its robustness and reliability, becomes compromised through this vulnerability, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The flaw specifically affects the driver's handling of TCP packet processing, where improper input validation leads to predictable system failures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input sanitization within the DNP3 protocol handler. When a remote attacker crafts a specially designed TCP packet containing malformed DNP3 data structures, the system's processing logic fails to properly validate the packet contents before attempting to parse them. This deficiency creates a condition where the driver enters an infinite loop or experiences a process crash, effectively rendering the substation gateway unavailable for legitimate operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and more specifically with CWE-674, concerning uncontrolled recursion or infinite loops in software. The attack vector requires only network access to the device, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external networks without requiring physical access or specialized credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it compromises the availability of critical infrastructure components that are essential for power grid operations. When the ePAQ-9410 gateway experiences a denial of service condition, it cannot process or forward DNP3 commands between remote terminals and control centers, potentially leading to cascading failures throughout the electrical grid. The affected system may become completely unresponsive, requiring manual intervention and system restarts that can take hours to complete, during which time the entire substation may lose operational capability. This vulnerability directly impacts the reliability and safety of electrical infrastructure, as it can prevent operators from monitoring or controlling critical equipment during emergency situations. The implications align with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0761 should encompass both immediate and long-term approaches to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls represent the most immediate defensive measures, including implementing firewalls that restrict TCP port access to only authorized systems and establishing secure network perimeters around industrial control systems. The device manufacturer should provide firmware updates containing patches that correct the input validation issues within the DNP3 driver, though this requires careful deployment planning to avoid disrupting ongoing operations. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring systems that can detect anomalous packet patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, as well as establishing robust backup and recovery procedures for industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify DNP3 protocol anomalies and implementing regular security assessments of industrial control system components to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by adversaries.