CVE-2015-8561 in ProClima
Summary
by MITRE
The F1BookView ActiveX control in F1 Bookview in Schneider Electric ProClima before 6.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted integer value to the (1) AttachToSS, (2) CopyAll, (3) CopyRange, (4) CopyRangeEx, or (5) SwapTable method, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7918.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2018
The CVE-2015-8561 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the F1BookView ActiveX control component of Schneider Electric ProClima software versions prior to 6.2. This vulnerability exists in the handling of integer values passed to specific methods within the ActiveX control, creating a pathway for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The affected methods include AttachToSS, CopyAll, CopyRange, CopyRangeEx, and SwapTable, all of which process integer parameters without adequate validation or bounds checking, making them susceptible to memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive industrial control environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's method implementations. When attackers supply crafted integer values to any of the five vulnerable methods, the control fails to properly validate these inputs before using them in memory operations. This lack of input sanitization creates opportunities for stack or heap corruption, which can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations or execute malicious code within the context of the affected application. The vulnerability manifests as a classic integer overflow or underflow condition, where the malicious integer value causes the control to allocate insufficient memory or access memory outside of its allocated bounds. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8561 extends beyond traditional information technology environments into critical industrial control systems where Schneider Electric ProClima software is deployed. In industrial settings, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to building automation systems, potentially disrupting critical operations, accessing sensitive environmental data, or even causing physical damage to facilities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for industrial environments where security perimeters may be less strictly controlled than traditional IT networks. Organizations utilizing ProClima software in manufacturing, commercial buildings, or other industrial applications face significant risk if they have not applied the necessary patches, as the vulnerability could be exploited to compromise entire building management systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for ProClima versions prior to 6.2, which address the integer validation issues in the affected ActiveX methods. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of systems running ProClima software, particularly in environments where ActiveX controls are enabled. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of ActiveX control usage or attempts to access vulnerable methods. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of vulnerabilities in ActiveX controls and remote code execution, specifically T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. System administrators should also consider disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in legacy industrial software components and highlights the ongoing need for security updates in operational technology environments.