CVE-2016-2292 in GP-Pro EX EX-ED
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in 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 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple versions of Pro-face GP-Pro EX software across various product lines including EX-ED, PFXEXEDV, PFXEXEDLS, and PFXEXGRPLS. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 4.05.000 and enables remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication. The buffer overflow occurs within the stack memory management of these industrial automation applications, creating a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and availability of industrial control systems that rely on these software platforms for operational management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weakness in how the software handles memory allocation and data processing within its stack-based memory structure. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing data to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject arbitrary code into the running process. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may include network protocols, file processing functions, or communication interfaces that accept user-supplied data without proper validation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to industrial environments where these software solutions are deployed for process control, monitoring, and automation. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems from outside the local network perimeter, potentially affecting critical infrastructure operations and industrial control systems.
Organizations utilizing affected Pro-face GP-Pro EX versions face substantial operational and security risks due to this vulnerability. The remote code execution capability could enable attackers to install backdoors, modify operational parameters, or disrupt industrial processes that depend on these control systems. The vulnerability affects the foundational software components used in process automation environments, making it particularly dangerous for manufacturing, energy, and other critical infrastructure sectors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as attackers could leverage the remote execution capability to gain higher-level system access. The impact extends to business continuity and operational resilience, as successful exploitation could lead to production downtime, data compromise, or safety system disruptions in industrial environments. Organizations should consider the broader implications for their operational technology infrastructure, as these industrial control systems often operate in isolated networks but remain vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that leverage such memory corruption flaws.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of vendor-provided patches and updates to versions 4.05.000 or later. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and apply security updates as soon as possible. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit exposure of these industrial control systems to external threats, while monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect exploitation attempts targeting similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions in industrial environments and demonstrates the critical need for robust security practices in operational technology infrastructure. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs become essential for protecting industrial control systems from similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could compromise operational integrity and safety systems.