CVE-2015-6482 in CoDeSys
Summary
by MITRE
Runtime Toolkit before 2.4.7.48 in 3S-Smart CODESYS before 2.3.9.48 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted request.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6482 affects the Runtime Toolkit component within 3S-Smart CODESYS versions prior to 2.3.9.48 and Runtime Toolkit versions before 2.4.7.48. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the Runtime Toolkit's request processing mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the system processes specially crafted requests. When an attacker sends malformed or carefully constructed requests to the affected Runtime Toolkit, the system fails to properly validate the incoming data before attempting to dereference pointers. This leads to a critical system failure where the application crashes and becomes unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's memory management and error handling routines, which are fundamental components of the software's operational integrity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to industrial control systems and automation environments that rely on 3S-Smart CODESYS for their operations. The denial of service condition can result in complete system unavailability, potentially disrupting critical manufacturing processes, industrial automation workflows, and control system operations. Organizations using affected versions may experience unexpected downtime, production delays, and potential safety risks in environments where continuous operation is essential. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or local credentials.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that leads to application instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage software flaws to disrupt system availability. The attack surface is particularly concerning in industrial control environments where such disruptions can cascade into broader operational failures, potentially affecting safety systems and production workflows.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions of both 3S-Smart CODESYS (version 2.3.9.48 or later) and Runtime Toolkit (version 2.4.7.48 or later). Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially affected systems within the operational technology environment. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial control system configurations.