CVE-2014-5407 in VAMPSET
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Schneider Electric VAMPSET 2.2.136 and earlier allow local users to cause a denial of service (application halt) via a malformed (1) setting file or (2) disturbance recording file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5407 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Schneider Electric VAMPSET software version 2.2.136 and earlier. This flaw exists within the application's handling of user-provided data through configuration files and disturbance recording files, creating a significant security risk for systems that rely on this industrial automation software. The vulnerability specifically targets the software's file parsing mechanisms, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits adjacent memory to be overwritten, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the VAMPSET application processes malformed setting files or disturbance recording files that contain oversized data payloads. During normal operation, the software expects structured input data within predefined memory buffers allocated on the stack. However, when processing maliciously crafted files, the application fails to validate the length of incoming data against the allocated buffer size, allowing the overflow to occur. This overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack memory locations, ultimately causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The local privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that any user with access to modify these files can potentially trigger the buffer overflow, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have file system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5407 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can lead to complete system outages in industrial control environments where VAMPSET is deployed. In SCADA systems and industrial automation networks, the application halt caused by this vulnerability can result in critical monitoring and control functions becoming unavailable, potentially affecting production processes, safety systems, and overall operational continuity. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the system, but in many industrial environments, this access level may be sufficient for attackers who have already compromised other system components or who can gain access through physical presence or social engineering. The vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the attack framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and denial of service attacks that can be executed with minimal resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement strict file access controls and input validation measures to prevent unauthorized users from creating or modifying the vulnerable file types. Network segmentation and monitoring of file system changes can help detect potential exploitation attempts before they succeed in causing system disruptions. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potentially vulnerable applications within the industrial control system environment. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that the fixes do not introduce new operational issues or compatibility problems with existing industrial processes.