CVE-2016-2291 in GP-Pro EX EX-ED
Summary
by MITRE
Pro-face GP-Pro EX EX-ED before 4.05.000, PFXEXEDV before 4.05.000, PFXEXEDLS before 4.05.000, and PFXEXGRPLS before 4.05.000 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2291 affects multiple versions of Pro-face GP-Pro EX software including EX-ED, PFXEXEDV, PFXEXEDLS, and PFXEXGRPLS all prior to version 4.05.000. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes industrial control systems to remote exploitation through out-of-bounds read conditions. The affected software products are widely used in industrial automation environments for programming and configuring programmable logic controllers and human machine interfaces. These systems form critical components of operational technology infrastructure across various sectors including manufacturing, energy, and process control industries where reliability and security are paramount.
The technical flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that occurs when the software processes specially crafted input data through unspecified vectors. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to read data beyond the boundaries of a buffer or array. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the software through network-based attacks without requiring local access or authentication. The out-of-bounds read condition can be triggered during normal operation when the software parses input files or network communications, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to gain unauthorized control over industrial control systems from remote locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can disrupt critical industrial processes. When exploited successfully, the out-of-bounds read can cause the affected software to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to system downtime that may result in production losses, safety hazards, or environmental impacts. In industrial environments where continuous operation is critical, such disruptions can have cascading effects throughout entire production facilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the organization's network perimeter, making traditional network security measures insufficient for protection. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 which covers exploitation of remote services and T1059 which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2291 require immediate action to upgrade affected systems to version 4.05.000 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general enterprise networks, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include deploying network monitoring tools to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, implementing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system environments. System administrators should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system security incidents, as the impact of exploitation in these environments can be significantly more severe than typical enterprise system compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in operational technology environments and demonstrates the critical need for security awareness in industrial automation systems where the consequences of exploitation can extend far beyond simple data compromise.