CVE-2014-9203 in Bullet Device Type Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Field Device Tool (FDT) Frame application in the HART Device Type Manager (DTM) library, as used in MACTek Bullet DTM 1.00.0, GE Vector DTM 1.00.0, GE SVi1000 Positioner DTM 1.00.0, GE SVI II AP Positioner DTM 2.00.1, and GE 12400 Level Transmitter DTM 1.00.0, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (DTM outage) via crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9203 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Field Device Tool Frame application component of the HART Device Type Manager library ecosystem. This issue affects multiple industrial automation products including MACTek Bullet DTM 1.00.0, GE Vector DTM 1.00.0, and various GE positioner and transmitter DTMs. The flaw exists in the processing of network packets within the DTM framework, specifically when handling malformed or crafted data inputs that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. The affected systems operate within industrial control environments where device communication protocols must maintain reliability and security to prevent operational disruptions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the DTM library's packet processing routines. When the application receives crafted network packets containing oversized data payloads, the buffer management mechanisms fail to properly handle the excess data, leading to memory corruption that results in application termination or system instability. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the parsing of HART protocol communications where the application does not adequately check the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also align with CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows depending on the specific memory allocation patterns used by the affected implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the integrity of industrial control systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to cause DTM outages, disrupting communication between field devices and supervisory control systems. In industrial environments, such disruptions can lead to production halts, data loss, and potential safety hazards when critical instrumentation fails. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the operational network perimeter, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in connected industrial environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation vector through remote code execution capabilities that could be leveraged for further system compromise, though the current exploit primarily targets denial of service conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9203 should focus on immediate patch deployment from affected vendors, network segmentation to isolate critical DTM systems, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation controls at network boundaries and establishing robust patch management procedures for industrial control system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial automation environments where traditional cybersecurity measures may not adequately protect against protocol-level exploits. Regular security assessments of industrial control system components and adherence to security standards such as IEC 62443 are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from compromising operational technology infrastructure.