CVE-2016-2280 in Uniformance Process History Database
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in RDISERVER in Honeywell Uniformance Process History Database (PHD) R310, R320, and R321 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service outage) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2280 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the RDISERVER component of Honeywell Uniformance Process History Database PHD software versions R310, R320, and R321. This flaw exists in the remote data interface server that handles communication with external systems and clients, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where uninterrupted operation is paramount. The buffer overflow occurs when the server processes incoming data without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The affected RDISERVER component operates as a critical communication hub within Honeywell's industrial monitoring infrastructure, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to disrupt operational technology systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the RDISERVER process that handles remote data requests. When remote attackers send specially crafted data packets to the affected system, the server fails to properly validate the size or content of incoming buffers, leading to memory corruption that can cause the service to crash or become unresponsive. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially including malformed network requests, unexpected data formats, or protocol manipulation techniques. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad by enabling attackers to cause service outages that can have cascading effects throughout industrial control systems. The buffer overflow condition creates a situation where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers, potentially leading to complete system compromise if exploitation is successful.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2280 extends far beyond simple service disruption, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where Honeywell PHD systems are deployed for process monitoring and historical data management. Industrial facilities relying on these systems for continuous operations may experience significant downtime when the RDISERVER component becomes unresponsive, potentially leading to production delays, safety hazards, or regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external networks without requiring physical access to the facility, making it particularly concerning for organizations with limited network segmentation or inadequate perimeter security measures. Organizations using affected Honeywell PHD versions face potential business continuity risks, as the service outage can affect data collection, process monitoring, and historical database access that critical operations depend upon. The impact is further compounded by the fact that these systems often operate in environments with minimal redundancy, where a single point of failure can have widespread consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2280 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Honeywell PHD installations with vendor-provided security updates that address the buffer overflow condition in RDISERVER. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual traffic patterns or connection attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for known attack signatures related to buffer overflow vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and ports associated with RDISERVER where possible, and implementing network access controls that restrict communication to trusted sources only. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional exposure points within the industrial control environment, while incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation scenarios involving this vulnerability. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the security update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial processes or automation systems.