CVE-2016-5798 in PM Designer
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Fatek Automation PM Designer V3 Version 2.1.2.2, and Automation FV Designer Version 1.2.8.0. By sending additional valid packets, an attacker could trigger a stack-based buffer overflow and cause a crash. Also, a malicious attacker can trigger a remote buffer overflow on the Fatek Communication Server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5798 affects industrial automation software products from Fatek Automation, specifically PM Designer V3 Version 2.1.2.2 and Automation FV Designer Version 1.2.8.0, along with the associated Fatek Communication Server. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes industrial control systems to potential exploitation through network-based attacks. The vulnerability manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the affected software processes additional valid network packets, indicating a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the communication protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the packet processing routines of the automation software. When legitimate network traffic containing specially crafted additional packets is received, the software fails to properly validate the size or content of incoming data before attempting to store it in fixed-size memory buffers allocated on the stack. This classic buffer overflow scenario allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates on valid network traffic, meaning legitimate communication channels can be exploited without requiring authentication or special privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for industrial environments that rely on Fatek automation systems for critical operations. The ability to trigger remote buffer overflow conditions means that attackers can potentially disrupt manufacturing processes, cause equipment failures, or gain unauthorized access to control systems. The crash conditions resulting from these attacks can lead to denial of service scenarios that may compromise production continuity and safety systems. According to the CWE catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity issue due to its potential for both system instability and code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a network-based attack vector that could lead to privilege escalation and persistence within industrial control environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from Fatek Automation to address the buffer overflow conditions in the affected versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the communication server ports, limiting exposure to unauthorized network traffic. Additionally, intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusual packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control networks to identify all instances of the affected software versions. The implementation of network monitoring tools that can detect anomalous communication patterns and automated patch management systems will help ensure that the vulnerability is addressed promptly and comprehensively across all affected systems.