CVE-2014-0774 in OPC Factory Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the C++ sample client in Schneider Electric OPC Factory Server (OFS) TLXCDSUOFS33 - 3.35, TLXCDSTOFS33 - 3.35, TLXCDLUOFS33 - 3.35, TLXCDLTOFS33 - 3.35, and TLXCDLFOFS33 - 3.35 allows local users to gain privileges via vectors involving a malformed configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0774 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the C++ sample client component of Schneider Electric OPC Factory Server versions 3.35. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple product variants including TLXCDSUOFS33, TLXCDSTOFS33, TLXCDLUOFS33, TLXCDLTOFS33, and TLXCDLFOFS33, all running version 3.35. The flaw resides in the client-side code that processes configuration files, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate privileges on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the C++ client application's handling of configuration file data. When the application processes a malformed configuration file, it fails to validate the length of input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not perform adequate size validation or input sanitization before storing user-supplied data in memory. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the malicious data overflows into adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting the return address or other critical execution context information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems and SCADA environments where Schneider Electric OPC Factory Server products are deployed. Local attackers who can influence the configuration file content or have access to modify system files can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The privilege escalation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where systems may run with administrative rights. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially allow attackers to gain complete control over the industrial process control systems, leading to potential safety hazards, production disruptions, or data integrity compromises.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting industrial control systems. The local nature of the attack vector means that initial access can be achieved through legitimate system usage or by compromising user accounts with sufficient privileges to modify configuration files. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring, access controls, and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Schneider Electric OPC Factory Server installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement strict file access controls and monitoring for configuration file modifications, particularly in industrial environments where such files may be modified by unauthorized personnel. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and bounds checking in industrial software applications where security failures can have serious operational consequences.