CVE-2014-0782 in Centum Vp Entry Class Software
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in BKESimmgr.exe in the Expanded Test Functions package in Yokogawa CENTUM CS 1000, CENTUM CS 3000 Entry Class R3.09.50 and earlier, CENTUM VP R5.03.00 and earlier, CENTUM VP Entry Class R5.03.00 and earlier, Exaopc R3.71.02 and earlier, B/M9000CS R5.05.01 and earlier, and B/M9000 VP R7.03.01 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0782 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple Yokogawa CENTUM and B/M9000 series control systems. This vulnerability resides within the BKESimmgr.exe component of the Expanded Test Functions package, which is part of various Yokogawa industrial control system products including CENTUM CS 1000, CENTUM CS 3000, CENTUM VP, Exaopc, and B/M9000 series. The flaw manifests when the system processes incoming network packets, specifically crafted packets designed to exploit the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a stack buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring physical access or local credentials. The attack vector operates over network communication channels where the BKESimmgr.exe process listens for incoming packets, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where control systems are often connected to corporate networks or the internet. When an attacker sends a specially crafted packet containing excessive data, the buffer overflow corrupts the program's execution flow, potentially allowing the attacker to overwrite critical memory locations such as the instruction pointer or return addresses. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution to malicious code injected by the attacker, effectively granting remote code execution privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical network security concerns due to its presence in industrial control systems used for critical infrastructure operations. These systems manage and control industrial processes, chemical plants, power generation facilities, and other critical manufacturing environments where unauthorized access could result in significant safety hazards, production disruptions, or environmental damage. The vulnerability affects multiple product lines including both CENTUM and B/M9000 series, indicating a widespread exposure across Yokogawa's industrial automation portfolio. Organizations using these systems face potential risks including process control manipulation, data integrity compromise, and complete system takeover. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, eliminating the need for physical presence or network proximity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates. System administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate critical control systems from general corporate networks and internet access, reducing the attack surface. Network access control lists and firewalls should be configured to restrict communication to only necessary ports and protocols, particularly blocking unnecessary network services that might expose the vulnerable BKESimmgr.exe process. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within industrial control system environments. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product versions underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive inventory tracking of all industrial control system components and ensuring timely patch management across all affected platforms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage system vulnerabilities to execute malicious code remotely, and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers might use DNS-based command and control communications to manage compromised systems.