CVE-2014-0770 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
By providing an overly long string to the UserName parameter, an attacker may be able to overflow the static stack buffer. The attacker may then execute code on the target device remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0770 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Advantech WebAccess software versions prior to 7.2. This vulnerability resides within the authentication handling mechanism of the web-based industrial automation platform, which is widely deployed in manufacturing and industrial control systems. The flaw specifically manifests when processing user authentication requests, where the application fails to properly validate the length of the UserName parameter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length stack buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send a specially crafted HTTP request containing an excessively long UserName parameter to the vulnerable WebAccess server. When the application processes this malformed input without proper bounds checking, the buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory allocation, allowing the attacker to overwrite the stack frame and potentially redirect execution flow to malicious code. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning no physical access or local network presence is required, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where such systems are often exposed to external networks. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and demonstrates poor secure coding practices that are commonly addressed by the OWASP Top Ten and other security standards. The flaw enables arbitrary code execution, which can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical industrial processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0770 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass significant risks for industrial control systems and manufacturing environments. Given that Advantech WebAccess is commonly used in critical infrastructure sectors including oil and gas, power generation, and manufacturing facilities, successful exploitation could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, or unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, potentially affecting multiple facilities simultaneously if they are using vulnerable versions of the software. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and execution phases, where adversaries establish footholds in target environments through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The impact is particularly severe in environments where industrial control systems are not regularly updated or monitored for security patches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including applying the official security patches released by Advantech for WebAccess version 7.2 and later. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to WebAccess servers to only trusted internal networks, while implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential entry points within industrial control system environments. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing compatibility issues with existing industrial applications. Additionally, organizations should establish robust patch management processes specifically tailored for industrial control systems, considering the unique requirements and operational constraints of these environments while maintaining security postures that align with NIST SP 800-80 guidelines for industrial cybersecurity.