CVE-2014-5424 in Connected Components Workbench
Summary
by MITRE
Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench (CCW) before 7.00.00 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via an invalid property value to an ActiveX control that was built with an outdated compiler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5424 affects Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench version 7.00.00 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial automation software that has significant implications for operational technology environments. This issue stems from the improper handling of property values within an ActiveX control that was compiled using an outdated development toolchain, creating a fundamental security weakness in the software's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the software's component architecture where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being processed by the ActiveX control, creating a pathway for malicious input to trigger unintended behavior in the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of property values within the ActiveX control, which serves as a bridge between the graphical user interface and underlying system functions within the CCW environment. When an attacker provides invalid or malformed property values to the ActiveX control, the outdated compiler used in the control's construction fails to properly validate these inputs, leading to memory corruption issues that can result in application crashes or potentially allow for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, as the improper input handling can lead to buffer overflows that compromise the application's execution flow. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it can be triggered remotely, making it particularly dangerous in networked industrial environments where automation software is accessible over network connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the integrity of industrial control systems. In environments where Rockwell Automation software is deployed for critical infrastructure management, the ability to cause application crashes or execute arbitrary code could lead to unauthorized access to control systems, disruption of production processes, or even physical damage to industrial equipment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly concerning for organizations that may have limited network segmentation or inadequate security controls around their automation infrastructure. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the use of malicious code to gain access to systems, and T1059 which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces including ActiveX controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the patched version of Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench 7.00.00 or later, which addresses the underlying compiler issues and implements proper input validation for ActiveX property values. Additional mitigations should include network segmentation to limit access to automation software, implementation of strict access controls for system configuration, and regular security assessments of industrial control system components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in ActiveX control usage and property value manipulation that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date development tools and compilers in industrial environments, as outdated toolchains can introduce security weaknesses that persist long after the initial software deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls and establish robust patch management procedures specifically for operational technology environments to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.