CVE-2016-4499 in FPWIN Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Panasonic FPWIN Pro 5.x through 7.x before 7.130 allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4499 represents a heap-based buffer overflow flaw within Panasonic FPWIN Pro software versions 5.x through 7.x prior to 7.130. This critical security weakness resides in the industrial automation software designed for programming and configuring Panasonic's programmable logic controllers. The affected software operates in industrial control environments where reliability and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure. The buffer overflow occurs within the heap memory management system, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the application handles dynamic memory allocation and data processing. This particular vulnerability affects local users who can exploit the flaw to trigger application crashes, effectively causing denial of service conditions that could disrupt critical manufacturing and automation processes.
The technical implementation of this heap-based buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within the FPWIN Pro application's codebase. When processing certain data inputs or project files, the software fails to properly validate the size of data being written to heap-allocated memory regions. This allows malicious or malformed input to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or causing abrupt application termination. The vulnerability's unspecified vectors suggest that multiple code paths within the software could trigger the overflow condition, making it particularly challenging to fully assess the attack surface. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though the heap-based nature indicates more complex memory corruption patterns that could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4499 extends far beyond simple application instability, as industrial control systems running FPWIN Pro may be deployed in critical infrastructure environments where system uptime is essential. When the application crashes due to this buffer overflow, operators lose access to their programming tools during critical maintenance periods, potentially causing production delays or requiring manual workarounds that increase operational risk. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple engineers collaborate on PLC programming projects, as a single malformed project file or input could compromise the entire development environment. Organizations implementing the ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, though the local nature of the exploit means it primarily affects internal network security rather than external attack surface. The potential for cascading failures exists in complex automation systems where the loss of programming capability could prevent proper system configuration or emergency response protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4499 primarily involve immediate software updates to version 7.130 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of FPWIN Pro across industrial networks are updated promptly, particularly in environments where multiple users may be working with project files. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit local user privileges and reduce potential attack vectors, while regular security assessments should monitor for any unauthorized modifications to project files or development environments. Organizations should also maintain detailed backup procedures for PLC programming projects to ensure quick recovery in case of application crashes. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 and potential ATT&CK mappings suggest that comprehensive memory safety reviews should be conducted on all industrial automation software to identify similar patterns that could lead to more severe exploitation opportunities in the future.